Empires are not brought down by outside forces, they are destroyed by weaknesses from within.

[daddy_luthor]

Lionel stood at the window of the padded cell for a long time, watching his only son struggle in his own mind, his hands in his pockets. He stared at Lex's blank look and idly moving lips, unable to look away if only so the doctors and nurses around him wouldn't see the emotion in his eyes. A Luthor didn't show emotion to those undeserving, it was

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[capable_of]

Today on his way to the compound, Lex took the long route down by the ocean. He hoped the calming sound of the waves would help relieve his ever increasing nerves, caused by the almost constant headaches and lack of sleep. It was beginning to wear on him - that and hiding it from Anatoly who would only worry over nothing. Something was eating at him, Lex only had to figure out what

[daddy_luthor]

"Lex." Lionel said with surprise as he spotted his son down the beach. This was not the pale, gaunt shell of a person he'd left in the care of Belle Reve only moments before. This Lex was strong and whole, if a little worn around the edges. He had more color then Lionel had ever seen, though he was still paler then most, and he was dressed in casual clothes, something Lionel hadn't seen him do in years, since Princeton.

Lionel wondered for another moment, and only a moment, if that no-good doctor had slipped him some of Lex's drugs. But no..again he remembered that she didn't have the mental fortitude to even consider crossing him. So if it wasn't the doctor's fault and Lionel couldn't be hallucinating, it must somehow be Lex's fault.

"Lex, what have you done now?"

[capable_of]

"Hello to you too, Dad." Lex said before bursting into maniacal laughter, his tiredness adding a layer of hysteria to it. Of course it was his fault, a whole magical fucking island that was unexplainable by anyone from any number of worlds was his fault. Love you too, Dad he thought bitterly, though he kept his features neutral if slightly tight

[daddy_luthor]

What was Lex going on about? Brought where? And an airplane...

Lionel rolled his eyes and his tone turned condescending. "Now Lex, you were rescued from that island months ago. You must stop using that as an excuse to fall down on the job. Now, just tell me what you did and we will fix it so we can go home and get you the help that you clearly need!" He took a few steps forward, closing this distance between them in long strides and holding out his hand to put it on Lex's arm.

[scottysous]

Scotty is dressed for a day on the beach, sporting bright pink sunglasses and a tamer pair of swim trunks; he even has a picnic basket in hand, and he's looking around for a spot to set his towel down when he notices someone who is decidedly not dressed for the beach. He sighs inwardly and very briefly considers ignoring him, leaving him for someone else to greet, but then that wouldn't be very nice at all.

He tosses his towel down and sets his basket next to it, walking up to the stranger with a hesitant smile.

"Hey there. You look a little lost."

[daddy_luthor]

Lionel, having taken a moment to compose himself, turned to look for the voice who had spoken and it was only his years of practice that allowed him not to react. Somehow, he was beginning to think this wasn't a delusion, because he couldn't fathom where in his mind this young man would come from.

"Yes, I think I am. Do you have any idea why I'm not currently in Kansas? I need to get back." He asked in a smooth voice, as his hands searched his pocket for his cellphone. If this man didn't have any answers, perhaps he could reach someone who did.

[scottysous]

Oh dear. It definitely is one of those. He pulls a sympathetic face and looks away for a moment, briefly unable to look at this stranger in his ignorance, but he steels himself to what he has to say and glances back again, sheepish.

"I hate to tell you this, but... That phone won't work. And no one could really tell you why you're in Kansas, except whatever is controlling this island decided you should be here, and not there." He hesitates, frowning, before he adds, "And there's no going back, either."

[daddy_luthor]

Everything the man has said up until the last has irritated Lionel but he could deal with it. But as to not going back...Lionel replaced the phone in his pocket when he saw their was no signal, taking the moment to compose himself before he gave his full attention to the man. "What do you mean there is no going back? What is there to keep us here?"

Worry began to form in the back of his mind, but as always, Lionel just ignored it. He still had explore his options before worry was allowed to set in. Because he needed to get back, for Lex's sake. He wasn't about to trust his only heir to some crack pot doctor who could be paid to cause a young man to go insane.

[patriotqueen]

Running directly towards this obvious new arrival was Guy, the weakness from within of his country's Empire.

It was still early in the morning, but he was so bloody awake that it was annoying. In the absence of having much better to do, Guy had decided to take a morning run.

The tall man didn't look at ease with his presence here and something told Guy to approach with caution.

He stopped when he came closer and greeted in a neutral but factual fashion. "Good morning. You're new. Shall I explain?" The reason for the short sentences was not due to a need to get to the point per se. It was because he was out of breath from running.

[daddy_luthor]

Looking up from searching his pockets for his cell phone, Lionel glanced over the man who looked like he'd been jogging. The British accent was a bit of a surprised and he couldn't help raising a small eyebrow. The only brits he had any regular contact with were the Hardwicks...but that was mostly Sir Henry threatening revenge. Still, as a culture he held them in high regard so he was slightly reassured.

"If you explain how I got from Metropolis, Kansas to a tropical island, then by all means." He said, pausing in his searching to give the man his full attention.

[patriotqueen]

Guy caught his breath and found half a burned cigarette in his pocket. He lit it and introduced the man to the magic wonders of the buggered island. "Some call it Tabula Rasa, but the island tries hard not to live up to its given name. It's a very pretty island in the middle of nowhere and with no escape. There are about four-hundred of us, all stuck, all putting up with each other. It's very merry. There's a Compound just down the road, where you'll find all you need to survive - provided we are not hit by hurricanes, floods or dinosaurs. Welcome," he streched a hand. "Guy Burgess."

[daddy_luthor]

"Blank Slate." Lionel murmured as the man spoke, translating the Latin. He never would associated it with a tropical island, especially since Lex had been anything but after his experience on one. He did raise an eyebrow at the preposterous description, but the man seemed to believe it and Lionel was weary of dealing with delusions for the day. Instead, he shook the man's hand. "Lionel Luthor. So, people are just brought here and left? No alternative motive what so ever?"

[fear_no_words]

"Oh it is," Uhura informed him, more than a little regret in her voice. The island was lovely, a very nice vacation, but even vacations had to end some time and seeing another person so suddenly thrown in with their lot when he obviously did not wish to be dragged her spirit down a touch.

But, like all things in life, she could make the best of it. Just like she'd have to make the best of a man appearing out of nowhere as she lounged on the beach. Sitting up on her beach towel, Uhura squinted up at the man. "I'm sorry. Something seemingly impossible just happened to you, but this is all definitely real."

[daddy_luthor]

Now, if Lionel had been truly delusional, he didn't think he'd mind this particular mirage. And while he was pretty sure he still had a firm grip of reality, there still was that possibility, especially after the last few days with Morgan and Lex.

He approached her, hands in his pocket as he asked with charming smile, "You seem to know a lot about this situation. Would you care to clarify?"

[fear_no_words]

"Not a lot," she admitted, her gaze falling for a second in a manner that could have been demure were it not for the wry quick of her mouth when she looked up again. "None of us know a lot about this place. We're all in the dark. As far as I can figure, it's a pocket universe or an alternate dimension that relies a little too heavily upon chaos."

[daddy_luthor]

"Pocket universe..." Lionel repeated to be sure he heard that right. Of all the crazy things he'd heard since Lex's return to Smallville three years ago, this was by far the most ridiculous. His smile turned skeptical, though remained charming in the presence of a beautiful woman. "This doesn't sound possible."