Title: Wrongs Darker Than Death Or Night
Author: Ser-Desa
Rating: R for violence and curse words.
Warnings: Death. Future-fic. Smart Lois. Angry Clark. AU!!
Summary: Lois looks back on the days when Clark and Lex supposedly died, and the cities of Metropolis and Smallville get an unexpected, but welcome, surprise.
Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did.
Pairings: Main is CLex, hints of others.
Notes: Part of the ClexFest Sixth Wave at kardasi.com.
Notes 2: Thanks to my best friend, Stephanie for betaing this for me. Dedicated to my other best friend, Katie. Hope you feel better soon!
Notes 3: A future fic, taking place during Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, but using Smallville stuff.
Notes 4: The beginning most likely sucks, but please read. It gets better, or worse, considering it's a Death Fic. Also, this will probably not be up to my normal standards of fic because i've been in and out of the hospital since August 26th for surgery and that, and it won't quit till January, so i'm sorry if this fic isn't up to my normal standards.
Notes 5: For the confused, the 'Wrongs' mentioned in the fic is A) The failed assassination of Lex and B)The fight of Clark, Re'an, and Qu'an against the Exiles. I didn't give them names because names are wasted on the characters doomed to die. I may have a sequel coming up in the next ClexFest, so feedback would be greatly appreicated. Read and you'll understand this note.
Notes 6: Last one, I promise. This fic is in Lois' POV.

WRONGS DARKER THAN DEATH OR NIGHT

It's been two years since the death of Lex Luthor and Clark Kent. Two years. No one has found out who murdered them. All I can really remember is that Clark was looking angry the day of his supposed death. No, not angry. Beyond that. Raged, almost. He just couldn't sit still. One minute he was typing something in his computer, the next he's down the stairs heading for who knows where.

Slumping in my chair, I notice i'm not the only one who's down in the dumps. Cat hasn't wrote anything in her gossip column for nearly two years. It's a wonder Perry hasn't fired her. Jimmy hasn't been to work for the last two months. Last I heard, he was living with Mr and Mrs. Kent somewhere.

Even now, I half expect Clark to come bounding inside the newsroom, a whirlwind of energy, wondering what our new assignment is. Whether or not we have a few *weeks* of break coming up. Between the two of us, we had about four years of break stacked up. I've taken less than two months. It just doesn't seem right to relax when Clark supposedly died during his week of break.

"Hey, Lois, guess what I heard." says Cat bounding up in her newest outfit, a slinky neon green dress that ends mid-thigh. The scooped neckline barely keeps her chest inside her dress.

"What Cat?" I ask, not in the mood for games. Haven't been for years, and she knows it.

"I've heard that Clark may still be alive, he and Lex." says Cat, face nearly glowing with her excitement. At her news, the newsroom falls silent. Any mention of Clark's name gets that reaction.

"How?" asks Darlia, Jimmy's replacement, for now.

"I have my ways." says Cat, acting more and more like her old self each second.

"Explain." I say, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Everyone gulps at that but Cat ignores it.

"Apparently that blood that was found? The two blood types? Only one type was human. The other was apparently Superman's." says Cat. "And the knife that was found to be the murder weapon? It's made of Green Kryptonite, which as we all know, is Superman's one weakness. I think that Superman came, saved Clark and Luthor, got injured, and they're all at some remote destination, hiding from their supposed murderer."

"One flaw." I say. "The Earth has been searched about fifty times for both of them without a trace."

"So what if they're not ON Earth?" asks Cat reasonably. I growl and stalk out of the newsroom, grabbing my coat and purse on the way. As I step outside, I feel a sharp prick in my neck. As my vision blurs, I reach up and pulls out a dart before I begin to fall. A blur of brown and white is the last thing I see before falling unconscious.

Awakening a couple hours later it seems, if the alarm clock next to me is any indication, I realize i'm inside an...an iceberg! Shooting up out of the bed, I gasp, and reach for the nearest thing to keep from falling back down onto the bed. Leaning my head against the bed post I grabbed, I blink but the image doesn't move. There, standing in front of me, looking as healthy as he did two years ago, is Clark Kent himself. Beside him is none other than Lex Luthor, looking as healthy as ever, and as bald.

"Y-Y-You died! Both of you!" I stammer, shock filling my face.

"We're not dead Lois." says Clark softly, almost fearfully it seems.

"Then where have you both been these past two years?!" I scream, planning to drown myself in a brandy or two when I awaken. Surreptiously, I pinch myself and wince. It hurts. I'm awake. Clark and Lex are still alive. What's the catch?

"In hiding." says Lex so matter-of-factly, any vestige I had of doubting them being alive is gone.

"Why?" I ask, planning a good cry session later after I rant and rave at both of them for scaring me.

"Lois, there's no easy way to tell you this, but..." says Clark and I realize he's going to reveal his secret. He's going to tell me he's Superman. All I can say is, finally!

"Let me guess, you're Superman." I say, smirking at the looks that appear on both Clark and Lex's face.

"Y-Yes." says Clark.

"I've known that since you came to work for the Daily Planet. There's only so many times you can return a late video." I say. "So why did you have to go into hiding Clark?"

"My people tried to kill my mate." Clark growls before pacing up and down the floor. Lex walks over and sits on the bed, leaning against a bedpost and watching Clark pace.

"About two years ago, Clark's people came to Earth. They wanted him to come to New Krypton and rule over them. However, since i'm human, he'd have to leave me behind, because New Krypton wasn't tolerable for humans. He didn't want to and told them to basically, go to hell. They didn't like that." says Lex, his attention more on Clark then on me. "The next day, they sent an assassin to murder me. Clark barely got there in time. That's when we fled here, to Clark's Fortress of Solitude."

"The day of your supposed murder."I say. Clark's still pacing, muttering under his breath in a language I don't recognize.

"Yes." says Lex. "About a month later, Clark built a ship, and together, we went off in search of allies. About two weeks into the trip, a group of travelers stumbled upon us and introduced themselves as the Elite of Krypton. We learned that the group that came to Earth were exiles from New Krypton. They wanted to rule with brute strength. Right now, the Elite are living peacefully on Earth, working for Lexcorp. They manufacture new technology which could keep Earth alive until the Sun collapses or blows."

"What about these exiles you're hiding from? Are they still alive?" I ask.

"Yes. Clark is planning to return to Metropolis, as am I. Martha and Jonathan already know we're alive and are living in my castle in Smallville. We're going to draw out Clark's hunters and try to settle this dispute." says Lex.

"In public?!"I ask, aghast. "Clark'll be recognized as Superman and be hounded by the press!"

"We know." says Clark suddenly, as he sits down next to Lex. "Which is why we're asking for your help Lois. Most of the press are too scared to come near you without facing your wrath, and we're hoping you'll help keep the press off me."

"As long as *I* get an interview." I say hautingly, causing Clark to burst out laughing. He knows i'll help him. After all, I consider him as a brother of sorts.

"Would you mind though?" asks Lex, eyes narrowed at me. "Could you possibly give up your career?"

"Lex, I could live for the rest of my life, peacefully and without financial troubles with the amount of money I have saved." I say. "I could retire and live with glee."

"Wouldn't let you." says Clark. "You enjoy it too much."

"Yeah, well, maybe I could be your PR reporter or something." I say, shrugging.

"So are you okay with it? Until I reveal tomorrow, you can't tell a soul we're still alive." says Clark.

"Clark, i've kept your secret of you being Superman for the past *three* years. I'm sure I can keep this for a day or two. Now, give me details. How is this going to be pulled off?" I ask, grinning evilly. I'm going to enjoy payback.

~*CK*~*LL*~*CK*~*LL*~*CK*~*LL*~

The next day, I enter the Daily Planet almost gleefully, causing everyone in the newsroom to stop and stare.

"Alright, what happened to you?" asks Cat blocking my way. I only raise an eyebrow and she moves, as does most of the newsroom, out of my way. Perry doesn't even call me in, a testament to his well-being these days. Reaching my desk, I see two dozen roses. 12 white and 12 red. White for Clark, Red for Lex. They are arranged in a way where no two same color roses touch. I smell them before placing them to the side and logging into my computer. Ten minutes later, the elevator opens and all the news channel stations and other reporters from other newspapers come in, all a hustle and bustle.

"What is going on here?" roars Perry from his office.

"We were called to come here. Apparently the scoop of the century is going to be revealed!" says a newscamera person.

"The only news worthy thing that could possibly happen is if by some chance Clark Kent and Lex Luthor come back to life." scoffs Cat under her breath, causing other sentiments to come from the rest of the Daily Planet newsroom.

"In my newsroom? Without my authorization?" growls Perry hacked. I stand and dead silence enters the room. Even the cameras have quieted. My reputation precedes me.

"If you would all wait a minute, then it'll be revealed." I say. "There are some rules though. One, do not get up or move out of your seat. Two, don't piss me off or i'll haul you out of here myself."

"Three, touch either Clark or myself, and i'll have you in jail faster than you can say 'Luthor'." says Lex entering with Clark behind him.

"Uh, hi." says Clark into the dead silence. "We're back?"

"We're back?" scoffs Lex. "More likely they want to know where we've been the past two years."

"Now Lex." says Clark but Lex grabs Clark, pulls him down, and kisses him. Clark whimpers softly before breaking it, breathing hard.

"Hey, Smallville, reveal now, screw him later." I call, causing everyone's attention to go back to me.

"How long Lois?" asks Emil, our newest reporter.

"A day." I reply.

"What news?" asks a reporter to Clark.

"Where have you two been the past two years?" asks another.

"Why haven't you returned earlier?" asks a third. I whistle, sharply, causing dead silence again.

"One at a time or you all leave." I say coldly. "Clark is a reporter for the Daily Planet, my *partner* in case you've forgotten. I won't allow him to be treated like he has."

"Thank you Lois." says Clark gratefully. "My news. Hmm...bet it'll be easier to show you instead of telling you." He suddenly whirls around and less than a second later, I swear, he's become Superman.

"You're SUPERMAN?!" roars all the reporters and newsreporters not part of the Daily Planet. The Daily Planet reporters are coming to their own conclusions, probably realizing what all of Clark's lies were.

"Yes I am." says Clark leaning against a wall. Lex leans back against Clark, the back of his head resting on Clark's chest. Clark wraps his arms around Lex's waist.

"Awww...so cute." gushes Cat, causing eyeballs to roll.

"Yes, I am Superman. As you know, two years ago, someone tried to assassinate Lex and myself with a knife made up of Green Kryptonite. He nearly succeeded if not for a maid's distraction. That assassin was one of the last surviving members of my race." says Clark. "A day before that, I was approached by the leader and asked to become their leader on New Krypton. Because New Krypton would not be able to sustain Lex, I said no. Because of it, they tried to assassinate Lex, so we fled. To Outer Space."

"We returned two weeks ago. A day ago, Clark brought Lois to our hideout and explained everything." says Lex coldly.

"A note." I say, eyes glaring at anyone who dares to oppose me. "After this, if *anyone* tries to stalk either Lex or Clark, I will try my hardest to ruin their career."

"As will I." says Cat, eyes gleaming. "I know some juicy tidbits that could ruin someone in five seconds flat."

One thing about Cat, she may gossip, but hers are usually right on the mark. Clark and Lex look shocked, especially when the rest of the Daily Planet newsroom throws in their support, as does Perry.

A sudden earthquake causes Clark to immediately fly into the air and out of the Daily Planet, flying towards some disaster or other.

"It's started." intones Lex. I visibly pale. Clark could loose his LIFE in this. The TVs in the room then turn on and on TV is Clark, facing down two of the Exile Kryptonians apparently. Clark has changed back into his jeans, sneakers, and shirt, glasses long gone.

<<Kal-El.>> says the taller of the Exiles. <<So you have returned to this pitiful planet.>>

<<It's not pitiful.>> says Clark coldly. <<It's my home. I won't leave it to the likes of you.>>

<<It's your life.>> says the shorter of the Exiles. <<Are you prepared to die honorlessly Kal-El of the House of El?>>

<<He will die with honor. It is you who will die honorless.>> says a female floating to Clark's side. <<Kal-El is a true Ruler of the People of Krypton and we of the House of Remina are proud to call him King.>>

<<As are we of the House of Wern.>> says a male landing on Clark's other side.

"They're the leaders of their Houses. There are ten Krypton Houses on Earth. They are Remina, Wern, Reed, Qarb, Drak, Ispep, Lowen, Newol, Ecnal, and Rehtaeh. Clark and mine make twelve." whispers Lex to me. "The female is Re'an of the House of Remina and the male is Qu'an of the House of Wern."

"Let me guess. You would be Lex of the House of Luthor and Clark is Kal-El of the House of El?" I ask.

"Or Clark of the House of Kent." whispers Lex back to me. "Because of who he is, his whole family is recognized as Royalty, including his grandparents. And by association, so are you."

"What?" I ask. On the TV, all they are doing is a stare-down, yet as we talk, our eyes never leave the screen. Neither does anyone else's.

"Clark considers you as a sister of sorts, making you Lois of the House of Lane, and by law, Royalty." says Lex. "I just hope Lionel never gets wind of this."

<<So the Elite have arrived.>> says the taller after a staredown. <<Making it what? Two on one?>>

<<It's three vs. two.>> says Re'an, her violet eyes almost grey with anger it seems. <<A battle filled with honor.>>

<<Now, do you fight, or flee?>> asks Qu'an, green eyes narrowed. Both of them have black hair and are dressed in a weird one-piece black jumpsuit and black boots. Next thing anyone knows, Clark, Qu'an, and Re'an are fighing the Exiles. Everyone watches the TV, dead silent.

Clark then punches the leader in his face, sending him backwards at the same time Qu'an and Re'an send their Exile backwards. Both land on the street, cracking it as Qu'an and Re'an fly behind Clark, flanking him. No one misses this display. It shows that the two accept Clark as their King.

<<You'll pay Kal-El!>> snarls the Taller pulling out a Green Kryptonite *sword*. An honest-to-god sword! I'm not the only one who gasps in the newsroom but i'm the only one who notices the fear flash quickly in Lex's eyes.

<<Here, my liege.>> says Qu'an handing Clark a sword made out of some purple stone. It's not amethyst, that I know just by looking at it.

"That stone is known as Purple Kryptonite." mutters Lex to me. "It seems to make some Kryptonians stronger and others more sexually active. In some, it does both."

By Lex's blush, Clark is probably one of those that the Purple Kryptonite does both for. I turn my attention back to the TV as the swords clash. The Exile isn't getting weak by the Green Kryptonite, but then, neither is Clark. Something happened in those two years that he's been gone.

Suddenly, a red line appears on Clark's chest, dripping. Gasps fill the room at the sight of Clark's blood. Clark quickly retaliates, and blood wells up out of the wound on the Exile's sword-arm. Cheers enter the room at that. Qu'an and Re'an stand back, as does the shorter Exile. This is apparently a fight to the death. One on one. Mano a mano.

The Exile then jumps into the air and yells as he comes down to slice Clark in half with is sword. Quickly, Clark dodges, and the swords clash as Clark dodges.

<<You damn Elite!>> roars the Exile. <<All of the Royals treat us commoners like we're shit!>>

<<Stop acting like you are.>> taunts Re'an. Qu'an snickers. The Exile roars and attacks Clark, going faster and faster. Clark easily matches him. Soon, they're moving so fast, that the human eye can't see it. All we can really see is sparks of purple and green and splatters of blood. Clark then suddenly stops, as does the Exile. The Exile then drops to the ground, head rolling off and blood oozing into the ground. Clark's sword is dripping with blood but he doesn't seem fazed by it. Instead he throws it to Qu'an, who hits something on the hilt because water runs down the sword, causing the blood to come off completely.

"Wow...they were fast." says Darlia.

"The strongest Kryptonian against the strongest Exile." mutters Lex. "Of course Clark wins."

I snicker as the TVs short out and a couple minutes later, Clark, Qu'an, and Re'an appear in the newsroom.

"Greetings, Lex of the House of Luthor, Lois of the House of Lane. We bring greetings from the Head of the Houses of Krypton." says Qu'an bowing to me and Lex. Lex motions for me to bow along with him. Re'an also bows to us and i'm utterly confused but don't show it. Spilt-second things are my forte.

"Greetings Qu'an of the House of Wern and Re'an of the House of Remina." I reply. Both of them look shocked but then by the smile in their eyes, I know I did the right thing.

"Lothor of the House of Ispep and his wife, Merka, would like to extend dinner greetings for the Houses of El, Luthor, and Lane." says Re'an respectfully. "This also includes the House of Kent."

"Lex? Lois?" asks Clark quietly to me and Lex.

"Tell me what to do in order of manners and i'll go." I whisper back. Lex nods his agreement.

"Lois of the House of Lane, Lex of the House of Luthor, Martha and Jonathan of the House of Kent, and I of the House of El would be honored to be recieved at the House of Ispep." says Clark.

"I will give the news to Lothor myself, your highness." says Re'an before she and Qu'an fly off.

"Why do I think those two are either together or going to be?" I ask, amused. Clark snickers.

"More than likely you are right." says Lex before gently leading me to the elevator with Clark trailing behind us. Dead silence is still in the newsroom but no doubt noise will explode when the doors close behind us.

All I can really say right now is that the world has finally changed. For the better. One day we may face another threat, but I have the feeling that when we do, the Elites will be right there to protect us, with Clark and Lex leading them. I may be there also. As the elevator doors close behind us, I thank God Clark and Lex have returned safe and sound. That is all I ever wanted. Mayhap I have a family now. I can only hope. I can only hope.

~The End~