Chasing Ghosts While Pursued by Demons

by JetGirl1832, tomatopudding

Summary:

It has been several months since Lena Luthor had the memories of her former life as Morgana Pendragon awakened. Now she's just trying to live her life, love her girlfriend, and learn her magic. It doesn't take long before this fairly peaceful existence is interrupted by the return of someone Lena has never expected to see again. Little does she and Merlin know, Lex Luthor is hiding a secret in his mind. An enemy Merlin hasn't had to deal with for a long time.

Notes:

Thanks to our absolutely fabulous Beta ReaderFyonah_MacNally. And our artist RainbowRelyea who is such a rockstar!

Chapter 1

As she enters her office, Lena turns to her assistant, “Gwen, can you have a car ready for me at five?”

 

“You’re actually planning to leave the office on time?” Gwen offers her a teasing smile.

 

Lena lightly scoffs, “You make it sound as if I never do.”

 

“Because you don’t,” Gwen shakes her head, making a note on her computer. 

 

There is an air of familiarity that has arisen between them, typically Lena isn’t a fan of any level of unprofessionalism amongst herself and her employees.

 

“Well, tonight is a special night for Kara,” Lena replies thinking of the plans she made for her girlfriend’s “earth birthday” as Kara likes to call it. “It’s her “earth birthday”, so being with her is my priority.”

 

“Well, if it’s a special night for Kara,” Gwen teases, causing Lena to lightly flush. 

 

“Alright, hush you.”

 

Although they always had a fairly easy-going rapport considering their relationship as boss and employee, ever since Lena regained her memories from Camelot as Morgana, half-sister of King Arthur Pendragon, she and Gwen have certainly tilted more into the side of friendship. Gwen and her husband Lance chose not to have their memories of their previous lives as Guinevere, Morgana’s maidservant turned Queen of Camelot, and Lancelot, Knight of the Round Table restored. However, there have been enough nights spent with Merlin, Arthur, and the others sharing stories of Camelot that Lena feels she knows the previous version of Gwen just as well as she knows the current one. 

 

Gwen giggles. “Well, I won’t say no to an early night in with my man. I’m reminding you that you have a meeting tomorrow morning with J’onn J’onzz at his office. He said it is important.”

 

Lena assumes this has to do with the energy spikes he has seen lately. He wouldn’t have asked for a meeting if he hadn’t uncovered some new information. 

 

“Thanks, Gwen,” Lena says, “Then I will be in afterward. Probably around 10, but I’ll let you know if it changes.”

 

“Of course,” Gwen agrees with a nod, “the car is already scheduled for tomorrow morning at 8:30.”

 

“Thank you,” Lena smiles before slipping into her office. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

 

Just as she takes a seat at her desk,  her phone starts to buzz. Lena turns it over to see Arthur’s name on the screen.

 

“I’m busy, what do you need?” Lena sighs as she answers, rubbing her temple.

 

“Is that any way to greet your brother?” Arthur’s tone is indignant.

 

“Yes, fine, hello Arthur,” Lena says with a roll of her eyes before reiterating her question, “What do you need?”  

 

“Do you think I could get away with wearing one of my normal suits for the gala or should I get something special?” Arthur asks, “On the one hand—“

 

“Arthur.”

 

“I know I look good in what I already own, but if it’s more of a black tie event, maybe it would be better to get a tux.”

 

Lena knows her brother well enough by now to know he has the propensity to get extremely focused on things that make him nervous. 

 

“Because,” the man continues, “of course I want to impress Mer—I mean, make a decent impression on your investors.”

 

“I can’t do this with you right now, Art,” Lena cuts him off before he gets really worked up, “but I’ll go with you to find something to wear, okay?”

 

There is a pause on the other end of the phone, “You promise?” Arthur asks.

 

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Lena swears shaking her head. “Yes, I promise…” she trails off reaching for her tablet.

 

“In fact, I’m checking my schedule right now and sending you an invite,” Lena continues.

 

Again, there is silence on the other end of the phone. “Got it!” Arthur informs her, “Anyway, why are you in such a mood?”

 

“Because, dear brother,” Lena drawls. “Tonight is Kara’s “earth birthday” and I promised I’d leave the office at a reasonable hour.”

 

“Earth birthday?” The confusion in his voice is apparent.

 

“The day her pod crash landed on earth,” Lena explains. “Point is, I have a lot of work I need to do if I want to be out of here on time.”

 

“Fine, fine,” Arthur sighs, then quiets again.

 

“Do you need anything else?” Lena prompts, tone edged in annoyance. “A suite at the Ritz? Champagne and caviar? A helicopter ride over National City?”

 

Arthur huffs out a breath. “Okay, there’s no need to get like that, I’m sorry for—wait, can you actually do all those things? Do you think Merlin might like—”

 

“Art.”

 

“Right, sorry. Not the point. I’ll let you get back to your work and your sexy plans.”

 

Lena rolls her eyes, trusting Arthur will sense it even though he can’t see her. “Don’t be crass.”

 

“Don’t be a prude,” Arthur shoots back in a smirking tone. 

 

“I’m hanging up now,” Lena informs him just before doing just that. 

 

She can’t help the small amused noise that escapes once the line has disconnected. Lena didn’t grow up in a normal family with a normal sibling relationship, but she thinks what she is developing with Arthur is something close. 

 

Lena lightly taps her finger against her desk in thought, her memories still a bit jumbled on occasion after the ones from Camelot were forced on her, but some things will never leave her. Lex’s casual cruelty, framed as a way of “bettering herself” and how calculating he always was with his manipulation to get exactly what he wanted from her. 

 

How Lillian was always so cold. Rare was a word of praise passing across her lips in regards to Lena. 

 

Even with all the positive change, there are so many years of hurt and abuse she still needs to heal from. Kelly reminds her it’s a little bit at a time, but it doesn’t make things any less frustrating.

 

Around a quarter to five, Lena grabs the garment bag to change for her night out with Kara. As she’s touching up at her lipstick, she hears a light knock coming from her balcony. It can only be one person.

 

Kara is standing on the balcony looking sheepish, her red cape billowing in the wind. Lena opens the door with a smile on her face.

 

“Darling,” Lena purrs, “you know how much I adore the hero look, but is that really what you’re wearing tonight? The media will have an absolute field day, thinking I’m cheating on you with National City’s hero.”

 

Kara blinks and looks down at herself, “Right! Uhhh…”

 

Lena’s perfectly coiffed hair is lightly ruffled by her girlfriend’s speed. Before she can even blink, Kara returns looking as gorgeous as ever. She looks the hero over and tucks a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear. “There, now you’re perfect.”

 

She loves the tailored pantsuit Kara is sporting. It’s a deep blue that makes her eyes really pop. The sleeveless, shimmering blouse underneath reveals an excessive amount of her golden Kryptonian skin. For a period of about five seconds, Lena considers not leaving her office at all, but the thought is quickly quashed. After all, this is Kara’s “earth birthday”, it’s up to her what they do.

 

Lena grabs the lapels of Kara’s jacket and casually straightens them then flicks off an invisible speck of dust.

 

“So,” Lena says, enjoying the way Kara’s cheeks turn pink at her casual touch, “What do we have planned for tonight?”

 

Normally, Kara preferred to go for a quiet night in with pizza and potstickers, but something about the pantsuit gives Lena the impression they’re up for a little more tonight. 

 

“I got us a reservation,” replies Kara, slightly bashful, “at this new French bistro in town. I know it’s probably not up to your usual standards of fancy, but it looked pretty nice and their pastry chef actually trained at the Cordon Bleu.”

 

Lena smiles before leaning in to press a kiss to Kara’s cheek. “Sounds great, Darling. I’ll have Gwen get the car.”

 

“Actually, it’s a gorgeous night and the place isn’t far. I thought we might walk?” Kara’s voice is so sweet and hopeful that Lena is powerless to resist. 

 

“Of course.” Lena beams as she links Kara’s hand in hers and they stroll out of her office.

 

“Miss Luthor?” Gwen stops them as she’s slipping on her coat, “Frank is downstairs with the car–“

 

Lena pauses for a moment, “Shit, Gwen please tell Frank there’s been a slight change of plans, Kara and I will be walking tonight.”

 

She makes a mental note to compensate Frank for driving over to get her and them not even using the car. 

 

“Very well,” Gwen’s smile is bright. “Good night, Miss Luthor.”

 

Lena smiles, “Good night, Gwen.”

 

She and Kara exit the L-Corp building and step onto the bustling sidewalks of National City. 

 

Lena gives Kara’s hand a squeeze, “Lead the way, Darling.”

 

Kara’s eyes brighten, “It’s not far from here.”

 

“Walking or as the Superhero flies?” Lena smirks.

 

Kara rolls her eyes, “I really mean it, it’s not that far.”

 

“I’m only teasing, Darling,” Lena laughs.

 

Hand in hand they make their way down the street. The sun is just starting to set, gilding the sides of the tall buildings in golden-orange light. Lena admires the way the same setting sun makes Kara’s hair look like pure gold. She listens attentively as Kara tells her all about her fairly uneventful day. 

 

“Oh, and Arthur called me,” Kara says, “he was asking about the gala dress code?”

 

“Seriously?” Lena sighs, “He called me too.”

 

“I think it’s sweet,” says Kara, “how much he cares. Especially considering…well.”

 

“The Luthors,” concludes Lena. 

 

Kara hums in agreement as they arrive at the restaurant. It is cute, small tables and intricate wrought-iron chair backs, the inside painted a pale blue. It feels a bit like how the movies make Paris seem as opposed to what Paris is actually like from Lena’s experience. They are seated fairly quickly and Kara defers to Lena to choose a bottle of wine. Not that the Kryptonian could actually feel the effects of Earth wine, but it is still a nice addition to a romantic meal. 

 

Lena briefly glaces at Kara, “Any thought about what you want?”

 

Kara lets out a frustrated groan, “Yes…and no…it all looks so good!”

 

“Oh no,” Lena giggles. 

 

The server returns with their wine and two glasses which are promptly filled. 

 

“Well, since we’re celebrating you,” says Lena, “pick anything and everything you want. My treat.”

 

“If you’re sure,” Kara replies with a smile. 

 

It took some time for Kara to agree to accept Lena treating her so often, especially considering how much the Kyrptonian can eat at one meal, but by this point she doesn’t put up much of a fuss. 

 

Lena swirls her wine and takes a sip. It’s nice, a little on the sweet side for her taste, but it will definitely be Kara’s speed. 

 

“Of course, my love, take your pick.”

 

They end up ordering a selection of pastries, both sweet and savory. Then, a charcuterie board, a chilled leek and potato soup called vichyssoise, and the house salad in an attempt to be at least slightly healthy. They keep the conversation light and easy while they wait and as they eat. It’s one of Lena’s favorite things about Kara, the fact the two of them never run out of things to talk about. 

 

“And Esme had to do a project on someone who inspires her,” Kara says between bites of pastry.

 

Lena dabs at her mouth, “Let me guess, she chose her Aunt Kara?”

 

“Actually,” Kara pauses, pulling up something on her phone. “She chose you.”

 

Lena blinks, a little surprised to hear this. Of course absolutely loves Esme with all her heart, but given how many options the little girl has being surrounded by so many inspirational people, she never considered she’d make the cut.

 

Kara passes her the phone, “Alex sent me this, it’s her essay.”

 

The first thing she notices is that she’s been designated “Auntie Lena.” Now she finds herself on the verge of tears in the middle of a restaurant. Esme is seven so she’s not exactly the best writer. Although to her credit, she does try to use big words sometimes even if she doesn’t always get them right. Yet, the thing that really gets to Lena is the fact Esme has seen fit to designate her as “the coolest and most awesome person in the whole entire world.” Considering the people Esme is surrounded with, it’s a title Lena isn’t sure she deserves, but one she’ll certainly take. 

 

“Isn’t it cute?” Kara gushes.

 

Lena lets out a slightly damp chuckle, “The cutest. C-Can you send it to me?” 

 

“Of course,” Kara beams, reaching back for her phone. “So, I hate to bring up your work, but how is it having Sam back?”

 

Lena smiles, carefully wiping tears from her eyes to avoid smudging her makeup. “Good, good,” she sighs and reaches for her wine glass, “though she’s having a hell of a time reconciling the fact Ruby is getting ready for college.”

 

It’s definitely something Sam is not handling well at all. So, Lena is doing her best to reassure her friend, though she doesn’t make it easy. 

 

“In fact, I have a suspicion she only accepted my offer to return to National City because she’s certain Ruby is planning to attend NCU.” Lena explains, shaking her head. 

 

Kara laughs, “I can’t believe so much time has passed.”

 

“Me either,” Lena agrees. “Well, what’s the saying… time flies when you’re in love?”

 

She loves the way Kara flushes so deeply, especially when she feels awkward. “I don’t think that’s exactly it,” Kara murmurs. 

 

“It’s something like that,” Lena teases, her eyes sparkling.

 

“Yeah–“ Kara’s voice trails off as the waiter approaches.

 

“Will you ladies be needing anything else tonight?” He asks.

 

Lena smiles politely at the waiter. “A double espresso for me, a hot chocolate for the lady, and a slice of tarte tatin to share.”

 

Once the waiter leaves, Kara leans forward to take Lena’s hand in hers. “I love it when you order for me.”

 

“I know,” Lena replies with a wink, causing Kara to let out a giggle. “Is today everything you’ve hoped it would be?”

 

“Almost,” Kara sighs deeply.

 

“Almost?” Lena’s brow raises. “It’s your day, Darling, what else would you like to do?”

 

Kara pauses, stroking her chin, “Surely I can think of something.”

 

“Oh, can you?” Lena laughs, leaning back into her chair. She can see Kara’s face flush a little. 

 

“I mean,” Kara swallows and squirms a little in her chair, if she’s not mistaken Lena’s sure she can hear the metal bend as her girlfriend grips it tightly. 

 

Maybe it’s for her own amusement, but Lena raises her brow to see how Kara reacts further, to see just how far she can push her beloved Kryptonian.

 

“Dancing!” Kara blurts out.

 

Lena sits up straight and laughs, “Dancing?”

 

Kara’s face is a deep shade of red, “Uhhh, yeah. There’s a place that has swing dancing. It could be fun–” the blonde pauses. “but there might be other activities we could do later.”

 

Lena laughs and brushes her hair away from her face. It’s funny how easy it is to make Kara uncomfortable in public, perhaps it’s because she’s so keenly aware of people possibly looking at them at any given time. Those heightened alien senses of hers.

 

“Okay, swing dancing it is,” Lena agrees. She’s admittedly never been one for dancing, really in either lifetime from the memories she can recall, but she’s willing to let Kara push her out of her comfort zone. After all, she trusts her in a way she doesn’t trust anyone else. 

 

The waiter returns with their dessert and drinks as Lena takes the time to savor hers and Kara excitedly talks about the bar she found that offers swing dancing.

 

“They have lessons, so it’s not like we’ll be going in blind,” The blonde shrugs between bites of dessert.

 

Frankly, that does put Lena at ease. As much as she’s willing to do whatever Kara asks of her, she doesn’t enjoy the possibility of making a complete fool of herself. It’s still hard not to want everything to be perfect and just so . She still has so many habits to change or break. 

 

Lena takes care of  the check and she and Kara are walking down the lightly chilled streets again. The steady click of her heels against the pavement accompanies them as they go. 

 

“Why swing dancing?” Lena asks as her heels continue to click rhythmically.

 

Kara shrugs, “It just always looks like so much fun in all the old movies. Plus, it gives me an excuse to get my hands on you.”

 

Lena rolls her eyes, “As if you really need an excuse to do that.”

 

“Okay, fine…it gives me an excuse to do it in public without having the police called on us,” says Kara. 

 

Lena raises an eyebrow. “Just how handsy are you planning on getting, Miss Danvers? A public indecency charge won’t look good on either of our records.”

 

“Well, then I guess it’s a good thing I can fly away should the need arise,” Kara laughs.

 

---

 

The following morning, Lena is feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. As difficult as it is to leave Kara all snuggled up in bed, she has a meeting to get to. One of the most interesting things about being a part of the world of superheroes is knowing all sorts of hidden secrets around the city. For example, from the outside nobody knows the innocuous tower Lena is standing before actually houses a secret headquarters for the Superfriends. Lena spent quite a bit of time here learning how to wield her magic when Merlin first came into their lives. Now, she’s there to meet with J’onn J’onzz, a Martian who made Earth his home hundreds of years ago. Long enough that he actually met and knew Merlin at some point in his 1500 year journey from Camelot to National City. 

 

She comes bearing coffee, equally for herself and anyone else who might be in the tower this morning. Lena flips her hair over her shoulder as she enters through J’onn’s P.I. office and makes her way to the hidden elevator.

 

“Wait!” Nia yelps as she runs in.

 

Lena laughs, holding the door for the young hero who looks more tired than usual, “Coffee?” She offers.

 

“Thank god!” Nia groans, grabbing one of the drinks from the tray Lena is carrying.

 

“So, how was Metropolis Fashion Week?” Lena asks. She knows the hero was thrilled when Kara gave her the assignment for CATCO.

 

“Everything I wanted it to be and so much more,” Nia sighs dramatically as the elevator whirs carrying them up to the Tower. “Do you think you can talk Kara into letting me cover Milan next?”

 

Lena snorts, “No promises, but I guess I can try.”

 

Nia beams and quickly gulps the coffee. “I think I might need a caffeine IV drip,” she forlornly looks at the now half empty cup. 

 

The elevator opens and the pair step into the wide open room that makes up the main part of the Tower. Lena spots J’onn examining a computer, clearly deep in thought. He then turns around and gestures towards Lena.

 

“Glad you could make it,” J’onn nods as Lena passes him his dirty chai latte.

 

“Well, you did say it was important,” Lena puts the rest of the drinks down. “You briefly mentioned seeing heightened spikes of fifth dimensional energy throughout the city?” In the back of her mind, she can practically hear Merlin grumbling “magic”.

 

J’onn nods as he sips his latte, “What’s particularly strange is there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to the spikes. They’re at varying levels all across the city.”

 

Lena steps forward to scroll through the data J’onn has been compiling. The spikes are definitely different from what they have encountered before, certainly nothing like the energy the imps yield.

 

“Interesting,” Lena mutters, though she tries to steady the anxiety rising in her chest. What sort of magic yielding thing has descended upon their city this time? 

 

“Yes,” J’onn agreed, “it’s a relatively recent development, only a few months, but it’s increased in frequency the past week. I expanded the range of my sensors as much as possible to see if it’s localized.”

 

The anxiety thrums a bit higher. “And is it?”

 

J’onn made a sort of unconvinced humming noise. “Currently? Yes. However, there are some indications that there may be a more far-reaching source. I’d like to use magic to try to expand the range even further, possibly even add some kind of temporal aspect, to see if we can work out anything about the history.”

 

“Well,” Lena says with a small sigh, “I can try to do something, but we may want Merlin to help as well. In the meantime, let’s just keep an eye on the spikes to see if they become even more localized.”

 

J’onn nods, “Sounds like a good plan.”

 

“Is there anything else we need to go over?” Lena asks. “I’ve been trying to develop something in the vein of the anti-Kryptonite suit to help keep Kara safe from magic, but it’s certainly not as easy.”

 

J’onn lets out a deep chuckle, “It’s amazing what you think is easy Lena.”

 

Lena feels her cheeks grow warm, “I-I-I just want to keep her safe, we rely on her–”

 

“And you love her,” J’onn tacks on. “It’s amazing the things people do for the ones they love.”

 

Lena awkwardly shuffles her feet, “Well, if you don’t need anything else I should probably get going, Finishing details on the gala and all that.”

 

“No, I think that’s all,” says J’onn, “I’ll keep you apprised of the situation if there’s any new information.”

Chapter 2

The gala arrives far more quickly than it has any right to. Yet, when the day arrives Lena is simultaneously more than ready and wishing she had at least another month. The L-Corp Christmas Gala has multiple purposes. From a celebration of the holiday season to a fundraising event. Anyone who is anyone in business in National City will be there. Of course, any L-Corp partner business is invited to send a representative, but there are also up and coming entrepreneurs and a large number of the regular L-Corp employees. 

 

Somehow, Lena let Kara convince her to allow Arthur and Merlin to get ready at their penthouse with them. If Lena is honest with herself, it actually isn’t that surprising. Ever since Arthur had to live with her for several months when a pipe burst at his apartment, her relationship with her brother has gotten closer. Added to that, Arthur and Kara tend to go to the gym together and have become quite good friends. Plus, Merlin goes pretty much anywhere Arthur goes so it makes sense.

 

Lena is standing in her closet looking at the dress she explicitly bought for the occasion, perfectly tailored for her. Her hair is currently still in rollers as she is thinking through all the finishing touches she needs to decide on.

 

She strides away from the dress for a moment to finish up her makeup while thinking it through. She carefully removes the rollers and fluffs out the soft curls framing her face. 

 

“Has anyone told you how gorgeous you are?”

 

Lena turns to see Kara entering from the balcony with gloriously windswept hair. ”Where did you run off to this time?”

 

Kara slightly blushes, “Well, it is almost Christmas–”

 

“Kara,” Lena sighs, shaking her head. 

 

“Please?” Kara pouts as she produces a small jewelry box. 

 

Lena’s heart pounds in her chest as Kara straightens, clearly sensing it as well. “N-No! It’s not, oh golly…” She swallows.

 

They’ve talked about marriage, casually at least. While it’s something the two of them want, they're trying their best not to rush through things. Lena swallows as she looks at the box in Kara’s hands again. It’s far too small to be a bracelet and Kara has sworn up and down that if they are going to do this she wants to follow Kryptonian traditions.

 

“Surprise!” Kara pops open the jewelry box to show a pair of beautiful ruby red earrings set in gold.

 

Lena lets out a sigh, “They’re beautiful, Darling. Frankly I’m glad you’re not proposing to me while I’m in my bathrobe.”

 

Kara brushes back her hair, “I guess I didn’t really think this through.”

 

“No,” Lena laughs, taking the box from Kara’s hands. “However, I do love them. They’ll match perfectly. Now, go get dressed.” Then, she takes a seat at her vanity to put on the earrings before reaching for her lipstick. A deep shade of wine red that will complement the color of her dress.

 

It’s a red satin number with a fitted halter top and a flowing pleated skirt hitting just below Lena’s knees, something the CEO knows makes her look incredible. She slips the dress over her head and adjusts everything so it all lays perfectly. As Lena looks herself over in the mirror, she does a delighted twirl watching the skirt flare out as she does.

 

“Oh, Rao,” Kara remarks breathlessly. 

 

“You might have inspired the color,” Lena beams, letting Kara get a good look at her. The Kryptonian keeps staring at her, “Go!” the CEO urges, “The last thing we need is for me to be late to my own event.”

 

Kara vanishes as Lena looks herself over in the mirror once more, pleased with the final results. Sexy with a dash of holiday cheer is what Sam called it when she originally showed her a picture. At the time the description sounded more than a little ridiculous, but Lena has to admit her friend was right. 

 

Lena grabs a pair of gold lamé heels to pull the whole look together before she exits their bedroom leaving Kara to her own devices. In the kitchen, Lena finds Arthur leaning against the counter holding a glass of wine in one hand as he sips from it while scrolling on his phone with the other. 

 

“You clean up nice,” Lena says mildly. 

 

It’s true. Even though she is the one who took him shopping for the suit he’s wearing, this is the first time Lena is seeing it in all its glory. It’s a three-piece suit in a soft, pale blue that brings out his eyes. The tailored suit is paired with a crisp white shirt and a tie, pocket square combo in the same pale blue with a vaguely floral-looking pattern in a shimmering silver. Arthur’s hair is artfully swooped back away from his face, but a strand falls out of the coif to rest over his forehead when he looks up at her. 

 

“Thanks,” Arthur says, tucking his phone into his pocket and raising the glass in her direction, “You’re not so bad yourself. Join me for a glass?”

 

“Why not?”

 

Once she has her glass in hand, she leans against the counter across from Arthur, in mirror to her brother. 

 

“Thanks again for coming to this,” Lena tells him with a quirk of a smile, “I know it’s not exactly your kind of thing.”

 

Arthur heaves out a sigh. “Not really, no. And, I’ll be honest, I’m still kind of annoyed at my father about it.”

 

The partnership between L-Corp and Pendragon Group, run by Arthur’s father, Uther, is a fairly new one that started just after Arthur got his memories of Camelot returned to him. His father has no idea who he used to be and knowing what she knows about her life as Morgana, Lena isn’t in any rush to grant Uther any of his  memories back. 

 

Uther was invited to the gala, but asked Arthur to go in his stead even though he is an FBI agent and doesn’t work for Pendragon Group. Lena dealt with Arthur complaining about it for weeks until he suddenly stopped. The fact his sudden acquiescence came at the same time Merlin agreed to come as Lena’s personal guest is totally a coincidence. 

 

“You know, I like to think I’m pretty good at hosting these sorts of things,” Lena gives Arthur a look. “I may be trying to impress business partners and shareholders, but I have to spend the evening there too.”

 

A memory dances across Lena’s mind. She remembers her father dragging her along to similar events at Luthor Corp once she was old enough. She hated going. She hated the outfits she was stuffed in, the people she was forced to talk to, all of it. Usually, she would take a book with her and disappear into the coatroom until the evening came to an end. After all, rarely did anyone ever bother to look for her, so it never mattered.

 

Arthur scoffs into his glass, “It’s more of representing a company I don’t even work for. I feel like this is a way for my father to try to strong arm me into the business.”

 

 “Oh,” Lena nods slowly, another feeling she understands all too well. “That is a feeling I can understand.”

 

Arthur looks at her with a raised brow, sure they’ve gotten closer, but Lena has never been great about sharing her more personal details with anyone. “You do?” Arthur asks.

 

“I never had intentions to be the CEO of L-Corp. Well…Luthor Corp. I seriously doubt Lex ever wanted me involved either,” Lena sighs. She would have been happy continuing her work with Jack in Metropolis, doing their own thing, but things would have been very different if that was the case.

 

“Unfortunately, Lex totally lost it and tried to kill Superman one too many times—“ Lena shrugs. “It’s hard to run a business from Strykers. So, Lillian and the shareholders decided it was a role that should fall to me.” 

 

“Well, shit,” Arthur mumbles into his glass.

 

Lena nods, “It was unexpected, but I wouldn’t change it for the world because then I never would have met Kara.”

 

“I can definitely understand the sentiment,” says Arthur, smiling fondly.

 

Lena wouldn't be a proper sibling if she didn’t take the opportunity being offered to her now to embarrass her brother.

 

“And how is the whole Merlin thing going?” Lena asks with a smirk, watching the way Arthur’s entire face turns red. 

 

Arthur unconvincingly scoffs. “What Merlin thing? There’s no Merlin thing.”

 

Any additional teasing Lena may have wanted to do was completely cut off by the emergence of Kara and Merlin, the two of them chatting comfortably. They’re truly a study in opposites. Where Merlin is lean, pale, and dark-haired, Kara is broad, tanned, and golden. Merlin does look quite dashing in his charcoal-gray suit over a silky silvery-blue shirt decorated with red flowers, but it’s Kara who takes Lena’s breath away. 

 

“What do you think?” Kara asks, striking a pose as she adjusts her glasses. It’s a well fitted, white jumpsuit that equally flatters the Kryptonian’s curves and shows off her firm, muscular arms. Arms Lena can’t help but get her hands on. 

 

 “The most attractive Superhero this side of the universe,” Lena chuckles as she strides toward the hero, firmly grabbing her lapels and pressing a kiss to her lips. She’s even more pleased when Kara excitedly returns the kiss.

 

The sound of someone clearing their throat causes Lena to sigh and glare at Merlin, “Go on then, be jealous.” Her tone is prim, yet teasing. If only these two idiots would figure out what’s going on between them instead of conducting this insanity of dancing around each other.

 

Not that she and Kara can talk, but Lena would rather think that in their case, there were extenuating circumstances. She intertwines her fingers with Kara’s and gives her hand a squeeze. 

 

“As gorgeous as you look in this,” Lena murmurs, soft enough the guys can’t hear, “I simply can’t wait to get you out of it later tonight.”

 

Kara grins, leaning in to press a kiss to Lena’s cheek. “I’ll hold you to that.”

 

---

 

Merlin has never felt very comfortable at these kinds of events. It’s probably leftover trauma from his time in Camelot, all of the visiting nobles and royals treating him like a piece of furniture unless they needed something. At least then he could always find Gwen across the room and they would pull faces at each other. It was a risky game to play as there was always a chance they would get caught, but that was the whole fun of it. At least he chose his own clothing for this, no silly hats being forced on him by Arthur. 

 

Speaking of Arthur, the man is totally in his element, completely at ease making small talk with anybody and everybody. Merlin envies him for it, but at least he has good snacks to keep him company. He has to admit, Lena made good selections in regards to food. However, there are a number of things he’s never tried before, even in his many years exploring the world. 

 

“Ceviche?” A server approaches with a tray filled with small portions.

 

“Oh…uhh, sure,” Merlin shrugs, taking the small glass from the tray. As he sticks a tortilla chip in his mouth, he feels some regret at having agreed to join Lena at the event in the first place. He coughs lightly as he swallows a large portion of something spicy. 

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Merlin keeps coughing and attempts to wave the woman who just spoke to him off. She frowns and quickly fetches him a glass of water before passing him a tissue from her purse.

 

She has a very kind face, her hair swept back from her face in an elegant updo, “You good?”

 

Merlin gasps, “I certainly wasn’t expecting my demise to potentially come in the form of hors d'oeuvres–"

 

The woman snorts, “Ah…but can you breathe now?”

 

Merlin nods, dabbing his face with the tissue, “Who are you?”

 

The woman smiles, “I’m Samantha Arias, but everyone calls me Sam. I’m the CFO of L-Corp.”

 

“Nice to meet you,” Merlin holds out his hand which Sam shakes heartily. “I’m, uhhh, Merlin Emrys.”

 

“Oh, the magic guy!” Sam’s eyes go wide. “Lena has told me all about you.”

 

Merlin frowns at the prospect of Lena referring to him as the magic guy, especially among her employees.

 

“Oh, but it doesn’t seem she’s told you much about me,” Sam shakes her head. “Of course she hasn’t.”

 

“No, she hasn’t,” Merlin confirms. 

 

“I’m more than just her CFO,” Sam explains. “In fact, I’d say I’m the person closest to holding the title of Lena Luthor’s best friend.”

 

This is clearly a fact the woman holds in high regard. “Oh yeah?”

 

Sam nods her head, “If you know anything about Lena, you should know this is not something she takes lightly.”

 

The truth is Merlin doesn’t know all that much about Lena or who at least she was before Morgause came into their lives and awakened the memories of Morgana’s life from where they had laid dormant in Lena’s brain. 

 

“I suppose,” Merlin replies. Lena and Morgana are very different people, which of course makes sense, all things considered. Especially when Merlin does his best to think back before the lying, betrayal, and animosity. “Although, she was always so nice back in—when we first met.”

 

Goddess, he’s so out of practice in keeping things secret from other people. There was a time that Merlin had to keep his magic from Arthur for years. Now, here he is nearly blurting things out to anyone. 

 

Sam laughs lightly, “No need to hold your tongue with me, I know all about the past life stuff. Trust me when I say, it’s not even the weirdest thing about Lena or the people she surrounds herself with. Now, come on. I need to know all the stories.” Sam hooks her arm through Merlin’s and tugs him toward the drinks table. “Let’s go get some stupidly expensive champagne and you can fill me in.”

 

Merlin laughs, allowing himself to be dragged. 

 

---

 

“Having fun?”

 

It takes all of Arthur’s resolve not to startle when he feels someone come up beside him. So, he hasn’t been super attentive to his surroundings, sue him. There are other things on his mind. 

 

“Sure,” he replies unconvincingly. The look Kara gives him is suitably unconvinced. 

 

“Nice. Very believable.”

 

Arthur can tell the moment she notices what is holding his attention: the strikingly attractive woman with the long brown hair, her head thrown back in laughter. Or rather, the fact she is talking to a grinning, equally amused looking Merlin. Arthur isn’t jealous. 

 

“Ah,” Kara says, “That’s Sam, Lena’s friend and CFO. You don’t have to worry about her stealing your man or anything, you know.”

 

“I’m not worried,” Arthur insists, his cheeks burning.

 

Kara nods her head slowly before lowering her voice, “I can hear the way your heart is beating.”

 

Arthur stiffens uncomfortably, “Right…” 

 

It’s not like Arthur is unaware of Kara’s powers, he’s more than aware. He just sometimes forgets they don’t end when Kara removes her cape and steps out of her costume. 

 

“Anyway,” Kara reaches for a tray loaded with potstickers from a server walking past. “You really don’t have to worry about Sam. She may come off as flirty, but she’s actually taken.”

 

“Oh,” Arthur shifts on his feet. “Good. Well, I wasn’t worried about that.”

 

Kara snorts as she pops a potsticker into her mouth, “Of course you weren’t–” she glances at his chest once again as if making her point.

 

“The thing between Merlin and I is…complicated,” Arthur sighs, “It’s difficult to ignore the history.”

 

Kara watches him for a moment as she eats another potsticker. 

 

“Why?” Kara questions, “You like him, right?”

 

Arthur’s gut reaction is always to deny, but that’s a left over feeling from a previous life. Before he got his memories of Camelot back, the version of Arthur who grew up in this modern time was the one to ask Merlin out. They even went on a date or two. So, the true answer is obvious. 

 

“Yes,” Arthur admits. 

 

Even knowing there isn’t any sort of threat, there’s a thrum of jealousy swirling under his skin as Arthur watches Merlin aim his megawatt grin at somebody else. He can still remember the Merlin of their youth who was all gangly limbs and big ears tripping over his own feet to please him. After he grew into his own skin and became a confident and competent man, their lives back then had been so tainted by the growing antagonism facing them that Arthur didn’t really get to see the joyous side of Merlin. 

 

Now, it’s like the best of both worlds. Sure, the warlock still has a sadness about him, borne from over 1000 years of lonely, slow trudging through time, but he laughs easily and smiles even more easily.

 

“The history between Lena and I hasn’t always been the best,” continues Kara, “but the way we feel about each other now is enough to get past anything that happened before. Wouldn’t it be worth it to explore?”

 

Arthur looks over at Kara, taking her words in. This is something he and Lena have discussed briefly and he does know the two of them have overcome a hell of a lot as well. 

 

“Maybe,” Arthur shrugs. 

 

“Well, it’s something to think about,” Kara pops another potsticker into her mouth. “Oh, would you look at that,” Kara starts to grin. “It seems Sam has found Andrea.”

 

Arthur turns back at Merlin to see Sam striding away toward another woman.

 

“Perhaps now is your moment?” Kara suggests.

 

---

 

Lena won’t let herself even begin to think things are going off without a hitch. She isn’t a particularly superstitious person, but even she won’t dare tempt fate. The music is great, the food is delicious, the drinks are flowing, and the dance floor is finally starting to fill up. While she did the rounds greeting guests and accepting endless praise for the event, Lena lost sight of Kara some time ago. 

 

Knowing her girlfriend, she’s likely happily enjoying the potstickers Lena made sure were on the menu just for her. 

 

There are still a number of things to happen tonight, particularly closing down the silent auction that’s raising funds for her foundation. It’s good to know people because she knows the prizes are extremely tempting to those in attendance.

 

Lena sips her scotch as she looks at the brochure advertising a glorious week-long holiday in Santa Prisca and notes the long list of hopeful bidders. 

 

“There you are!” Kara confidently strides up to her and grabs Lena’s hand. 

 

“Here I am,” Lena laughs lightly. “Were you looking for me?” 

 

Kara glances at the slowly filling dance floor, “You promised me a dance.”

 

Lena grimaces, “Did I?”

 

Kara nods, “Stop saying you can’t dance, you and I both know that's not true—“

 

“Then I’m going to need more of this,” Lena interrupts before taking another deep swallow of her scotch. 

 

Kara snags the glass from her hand and places it on a nearby table, pulling Lena onto the dance floor. The string quartet is playing a mid-tempo piece perfect for a simple box step, which is what Kara leads her into, adjusting her grip on Lena’s hand and placing her other one on the CEO’s waist. Despite her previous complaint, Lena settles into the dance fairly easily, muscle memory taking over from the previous times they’ve danced together. 

 

“Have I mentioned how beautiful you look?” Kara asks, her blue eyes sparkling as her lips quirk into a grin.

 

Lena can’t help smiling back, even as she rolls her eyes. “Only at least a hundred times.”

 

“And I’ll keep on saying it,” assures Kara, pulling Lena just a little bit closer. 

 

Her eyes flicker to something over Lena’s shoulder, the soft grin on her face turning into something a bit more amused and smug. “Looks like Arthur took my advice.”

 

Lena turns to look behind her to see Arthur and Merlin standing quite close, looking a bit bashful. 

 

“Good for him, maybe now he won’t complain to me about it,” Lena huffs out, causing Kara to let out a giggle. 

 

They’re so caught up in dancing that it takes Lena a while to notice something has changed. 

 

“Do you hear that?” Lena asks, slowly coming to a stop. There’s an odd energy in the room, a whisper that seems to be passing from person to person before the sound of a voice echoes.

 

“Well, this is a nice turnout, isn’t it?”

 

Lena takes a breath and turns. It can’t be. It shouldn’t be possible. The music stops and the crowd murmurs in confusion, parting to reveal somebody Lena thought she would never have to deal with again.

 

He’s smiling as if everything is normal, looking around appreciatively at the hall as he lets out a low whistle. Lena feels Kara’s hand in hers as her anxiety heightens. 

 

“Not bad.”

 

“You,” Lena hisses, her hands curling into fists. 

 

In front of her, Lex Luthor gives his usual disarming smile. “Hey, sis. Miss me?”

Chapter 3

Time doesn’t pass in the Phantom Zone, something Lex would be keen on studying if it didn’t seem he is going to be trapped here forever. Especially when humans are forced to relieve some of their worst fears over and over again.

 

Then something changes, his visions shift and the fears aren’t what they have always been. There’s something lurking in the corners of the visions, just out of sight any time Lex comes in contact with a Phantom. 

 

He’s not sure how long it takes, but the visions become more clear, practically overwhelming his line of sight at times. It’s a woman and she sounds like she’s underwater at first until she becomes more clear.

 

“There is a way out.”

 

The voice is little more than that, until it gets more insistent. Louder. Breaking through the horrible Phantom induced visions. 

 

He doesn’t gasp in a breath or jolt in surprise, Lex simply suddenly becomes aware. It’s difficult to think about it as being awake because he still feels sort of like he’s drifting. Everything has a sort of cloudy haze like it’s not quite real, but even so Lex clearly sees her standing in front of him. 

 

Her long brown hair is a tangled mess around her shoulders, pale blue eyes calculating, red-painted full lips curving into a smirk. She seems to be his height and wears a red, sleeveless dress streaked with black marks. Scorch marks, Lex realizes, like she had been set aflame or struck by lightning. 

 

“Not what I would have expected,” the woman says, her eyes raking over him, “but I guess it’ll do.”

 

Lex can’t really tell what their surroundings look like, it’s blurred and out of focus. 

 

“I’m free.” He must be, he hasn’t felt quite real while in the Phantom Zone. He’s mostly felt oddly non-corporeal, but now he’s aware of his body and he’s standing. 

 

The woman’s mouth twists into a grimace. “No, we’re still very much trapped. This is a manifestation of your mental plane. We’re in your mind.”

 

As soon as she says it, Lex suddenly realizes it’s true. The odd sound he’s been hearing in the background seems to be the beating of his heart, deep and rumbling. 

 

“Who are you?” Lex asks. It’s prudent to get every detail he possibly can so he can figure out how to deal with this…threat? 

 

“I’m you,” the woman replies, “or you’re me, in a sense. I am Nimueh, High Priestess of the Old Religion. I knew I had to prepare for my inevitable demise, but I didn’t think it would be at the hands of that wretch Merlin. That boy was not worthy of wielding the Goddesses' power.”

 

Nimueh begins to pace, the tattered hem of her dress fluttering around her calves. 

 

“I was supposed to simply awaken again when the time was right,” she continues, “awaken within your body, it would seem, and replace the mind that was already residing in it. However, something’s gone wrong. Now, we’re both aware and both trapped in…in…what in the Triple Goddesses name is this place?”

 

“The Phantom Zone,” Lex’s tone is flat. He knows the place too well, as it seemed like the best way to deal with those wretched Kryptonians. He’d been lucky enough to send Supergirl here, but leave it to his sister to find a way to bring her back. 

 

“A pocket dimension within the multiverse, created by Kryptonians,” Lex explains. “Time stands still here, so you don’t age or deteriorate the way you might elsewhere.” What he didn’t expect was these Phantom creatures, “These Phantoms are apparently what lives here, among other undesirables who have found themselves banished here for one reason or another.”

 

Nimueh levels him with a look and he can almost see her mind working behind her eyes. 

 

“Half of what you said isn’t even real words,” she says finally, her tone supremely dry.

 

Lex’s gaze narrows, “I don’t have the desire to deal with your ignorance, you said there is a way out. Yes or no? I have things to do back on Earth.”

 

“Yes,” Nimueh ground out, the bolt of her jaw twitching as it tightened in annoyance, “In theory. Even here, I can sense the world’s magic. It’s faint, but it’s there.”

 

Lex huffs, “Magic you say.” He takes in the dark desolate plains of the Phantom Zone and a smirk forms at his lips. “I like the sound of that.”

 

It was a convenient discovery to realize even Kryptonians can’t fight off magic. Surely it’s not as powerful as Kryptonite, but it’s more than useful. Whatever this magical source is tied to his body could prove useful. Once back on Earth.

 

“Tell me more,” Lex demands.

 

A slow smirk spreads across Nimueh’s face. “As the only remaining High Priestess of the Old Religion, my magic is a part of the energy of the world and magic likes to be together, it’s all a balance. It’s missing my magic, the world will draw me back and you with me.” 

 

It’s clear this woman, whoever she is, thinks very highly of herself. Lex thinks it’s a little undeserved even if she is whatever high priestess she claims to be. “If that’s the case, why haven’t you been pulled back already?”

 

Does she need him for some reason? All the better for him in the long run, but if he can find out the woman’s endgame, he can figure out how to make this suit his needs best. 

 

“Did you not listen before?” the woman scoffs, “Our minds are sharing your body, we are the same. Even so, it’s not exactly an even split.” Her mouth twisted in distaste. “Your lack of awareness up until this moment has kept us trapped, I’ve been trying to rouse you for some time. Who knows how long we’ve been in the cursed place.”

 

Lex intertwines his fingers as he thinks this through, “Very well, so we’re one in the same. I don’t have magic so what do you need me to do?” He might as well hear her out. 

 

“If I had my books this would be easier,” Nimueh grumbles, “I’ll have to let this vision go, we will return to the normal version of your Phantom Zone. After that, all you need to do is keep your mind clear.”

 

“Very well,” Lex relents. “Let’s do this.” 

 

He can’t be worse off than he already is, trapped in the fractured remains of the Phantom Zone. Once he’s back on Earth and allied with magic at his fingertips? The world could truly be his oyster. He’ll take down the Kryptonians and the rest of the wretched aliens once and for all. A smirk comes to his face as he momentarily pictures the scene. 

 

“I think it’s time we attempted a little jailbreak,” Lex grins. 

 

In the end, it doesn’t feel like much of anything. One moment they are in this hazy dreamscape, the next he is in the nowhere-ness of the Phantom Zone, and then suddenly there is verdant green. Lex stumbles, his vision lurching nauseatingly in a way that makes him screw his eyes shut and fall to his knees. 

 

Where…?

 

It’s her voice, Nimueh’s voice, but inside his head as if a part of his own thoughts. He takes a breath and opens his eyes. He hasn’t imagined the green. He seems to be in some kind of open field, rolling grassy hills and something that looks like stone ruins in the near distance. 

 

‘Where are we?’ Nimueh asks, ‘ Where is Camelot? We’re supposed to be in Camelot!’

 

“Camelot doesn’t exist,” Lex says aloud, “Not anymore.”

 

‘Look around,’ Nimueh demands, ‘ I need to see.’

 

Lex grumbles and begrudgingly does what’s requested of him, “According to most historians Camelot never even existed in the first place.” 

 

Then again, most people didn’t know about the existence of magic and there was a time when aliens weren’t believed to be real either. 

 

“If Camelot was ever here,” Lex continues to muse as he slowly starts to walk on hesitant feet. “It’s been gone for several hundred years, if not likely a thousand.”

 

Nimueh lets out a strangled sort of laugh. ‘ A thousand years. It’s no wonder Camelot is no longer here, Uther Pendragon probably caused the downfall himself.’

 

Lex continues to walk, heading in the direction of the apparent ruins. If there’s anywhere they’re more likely to find people it would be an archaeological site, people love to gawk at the past. At least the weather is fairly nice, not exactly sunny, but not overcast enough to make the air too cold. The temperature is mild and it vaguely smells like rain. If the slight dampness of the grass is anything to go by, the rain most likely occurred not too long ago. 

 

He scopes out the surroundings and adjusts his jacket, which he checks and is pleased to see it survived the ordeal in the Phantom Zone. Now that he’s back on earth he’s going to have to sort some things out, especially with Luthor Corp. Lex has no idea how long he’s been gone, but surely his meddling little sister has tried to screw things up again. 

 

Lex huffs as his Italian leather loafer squelches in a particularly wet patch of grass as he continues to navigate his way toward the ruins. He’s finally back on earth and he’s not going to waste a single second of it. 

 

‘You haven’t forgotten me, have you?’ Nimueh’s voice rings in his mind. ‘We are, as you might say, a package deal . ’

 

Lex shakes his head, “I’ll deal with you once we get some bearings. You’re of no use to me right now other than saying this used to be Camelot.” There’s no signage or anything to give him much of a clue as to where he is. If only he had his portal watch, none of this would matter and he’d be back in National City within minutes. 

 

He continues to trek through the damp grass toward areas more populated, likely by tourists, he figures. By the time he makes it to a gravel walking path Lex’s shoes are absolutely ruined.

 

“Great, just great,” Lex angrily tugs at his lapels. 

 

It takes Lex a moment to notice it, but once he does it’s hard to ignore the fact he can feel Nimueh’s annoyance at being sidelined as strongly as if it were his own. Then he realizes Nimueh’s little comment was in response to his own internal thought and not anything he said aloud. It’s that fact more than anything that begins to cement the idea there is actually a whole other consciousness shoved into his brain with him. 

 

‘I did say so,’ Nimueh huffs. 

 

“You’re still not helping,” Lex remarks to Nimueh. “So, shut the hell up unless you can get us out of here.”

 

At that Nimueh remains sullenly silent. Lex takes a moment to tug his jacket back into place and continue his trudge. Before he makes it to the ruins themselves, he manages to find his way to a road, which means the potential to find his way to civilization and figure out where the hell he is. He decides to continue in the direction of the ruins, hoping someone will come down the road and be willing to pick him up. 

 

He grumbles to himself thinking about how undignified all of this is. This isn’t how things are supposed to be for the Luthors. He’s always been able to say “jump” while anyone around him asks “how high?”. However, Lex knows he’ll get back on top, he has to. He will do whatever it takes to get there. He’ll take down the supers and his sister so he can be right back where he belongs.

 

Perhaps Lena will even thank him, she was always the shy, quiet one. She never wanted this life, happy to hide away in research and development while he handled the reins. That’s what she is good at. 

 

Lex finally makes it to the road. There are no cars present in either direction so he attempts to use anything around him to make heads or tails of direction. He squints up at the sun and shadows being cast to at least determine roughly which way is east. Not that it would help him all that much except in choosing a direction of travel. The first clue to the current location comes with the passing of a car. Driving on the left-hand side of the road, he thinks, definitely narrows things down.

 

By the Triple Goddess, what is that thing?

 

Lex ignores her, not in the mood to play babysitter to someone who is essentially a time traveler. Luck is on his side as he doesn’t even need to stoop so low as to attempt hitchhiking before a minivan pulls up beside him, rolling down a window.

 

“Y’alright there, mate?” The driver calls out, “Give you a lift?”

 

The man’s accent certainly helps narrow things down even more, as does the language. Somewhere in the UK, then. Lex supposes it makes sense, Nimueh’s accent is also vaguely British. This stranger at least doesn’t look like he is a murderer. 

 

“Sure,” Lex says, giving the man his best unassuming smile, “Appreciate it.”

 

The man pulls back out on the road and continues on his way. “I’m Rhys, by the way. Where are you headed?”

 

“Civilization.”

 

Rhys laughs, “Afraid all I can offer you is Newport.”

 

Lex sighs, “That’ll do well enough.” He gets into the passenger seat and Rhys starts to drive. Fortunately, there’s soft rock coming from the beat up stereo because Lex has no desire to communicate with the man.

 

“Found yourself in a spot of bad luck?” Rhys asks.

 

“That’s one way to put it,” Lex mumbles as he watches the countryside roll past. 

 

“Well, we’re a good lot around these parts,” Rhys chuckles, “Everyone is always helping each other out.”

 

Lex nods silently, “Where exactly are these parts ?” 

 

Rhys blinks owlishly for a moment, “Err…are you sure you’re alright mate? Do I need to take you to the A & E?”

 

“I’m perfectly fine,” Lex’s tone gets sharper. “Just a little lost .” He hates saying that, admitting any sort of weakness least of all to a stranger.

 

“Right, well, you’re just around Caerleon,” Rhys explains, “not too far outside of Newport. Although it’s a bit more touristy on account of the ruins and all. Lots of people are coming out to South Wales looking for Camelot.”

 

“Camelot?” Lex asks mildly. 

 

Within his mind Nimueh echoes him breathily, Camelot.

 

“Some people say it was around here, King Arthur and the round table and all that.”

 

No wonder they appeared here, Lex reasons, Nimueh wanted to go to Camelot so she got the closest she could get. 

 

“King Arthur,” Nimueh hisses in disgust in the back of Lex’s mind, “Uther’s brat was named Arthur. Merlin was so set on saving him, so it must be the same person.”

 

The logic doesn’t really track there, but Lex can’t exactly get into that now. If he starts speaking to himself out loud, the unsuspecting driver will definitely want to take him to a hospital. 

 

“Mind you, I only know this because my youngest is obsessed,” continues Rhys, unaware of the boredom and annoyance quickly growing inside Lex, “She begged her mum and me nearly every weekend and school holiday to come out to Caerleon.”

 

“How sweet,” Lex drolls.

 

So, he’s in Wales, that’s more than a little far from National City. It’s pretty fucking far from America, especially when he currently has little means of getting back. However, he wouldn’t be Lex Luthor if he didn’t have contingency plans for his contingency plans. He may not have expected he would be the one blasted into the Phantom Zone, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have plans.

 

Mercy .

 

Mercy Graves, his former head of security at Luthor Corp. She’s never failed him before and he highly doubts she’ll fail him now. He just needs to find a way to get a hold of her. 

 

Eventually, the country landscape melts away to a city. Although, it’s kind to refer to a place like this as a city, especially comparing it to the likes of Metropolis or National City.

 

“Take me to the nearest pub,” Lex directs firmly.

 

Pub? Nimueh seethes. What good is a pub in this instance? 

 

Lex huffs as he tries to ignore the increasingly obnoxious voice lurking in the back of his mind.

 

“A pub you say?” Rhys asks, uncertain.

 

Lex tries not to let the skepticism of both of his companions bother him, clenching his jaw against the seething words he wants to let loose. 

 

“For a phone,” Lex explains, “to call my…friend.”

 

Nimueh makes a noise of confusion and frustration, It will take time for aid to arrive. What are we supposed to do until then?

 

“Are you staying with mates here?” Rhys asks, “You don’t exactly sound local.”

 

Their voices overlap each other in an unpleasant manner and it takes a moment to separate the two questions. 

 

“I’m a little bit stranded,” Lex begrudgingly admits, “it doesn’t matter why. It may take some time to get things sorted, but I can be patient. What’s the date today?”

 

“The seventeenth of September.”

 

Thankfully, Rhys doesn’t ask for any more details about his situation and ultimately falls silent. For the remainder of their short drive, Lex attempts various ways of trying to speak to Nimueh inside his head and comes to the frustrating conclusion that it doesn’t appear possible. The only way for him to communicate with her is verbally. When Rhys drops them off in front of a place called The Red Lion, he fixes Lex with a worried look and a furrowed brow. 

 

“Sure I can’t take you anywhere, mate? I don’t mind waiting.”

 

Having access to this…transportation device would be useful, Nimueh muses. 

 

Lex is able to reply to both of them with a single word. “No, I’ll manage.”

 

With that, he turns and goes to walk into the pub. 

 

You idiot! Nimueh seethes. 

 

“Oh, shut up!” Lex grumbles to himself. “You need to learn to think bigger, I have a plan.”

 

He straightens himself as he walks into the pub and immediately walks toward the bar and the man he can only assume is the proprietor of the place.

 

“I need to use your phone,” Lex’s tone is sharp.

 

The man is chewing on a toothpick as he cleans glasses and gives Lex a quizzical look. “Our phone?”

 

“Yes, your phone,” Lex repeats. “I’m in a bit of a bind and seem to have lost my own. So, if I could use yours it would be most helpful.”

 

The man hesitates for a moment before gesturing for Lex to come around the bar, “Just make it quick. It’s not really for customer use.”

 

As soon as the man turns away Lex rolls his eyes and dials the long since remembered phone number. It rings and rings.

 

“Graves.” 

 

“Mercy,” a smile twitches at Lex’s mouth, “how good it is to hear your voice.”

 

There's a moment of silence, nothing more than the crack and buzz of the phone line, “Lex?” 

 

“Indeed,” Lex replies cooly. 

 

“I should have known you weren’t gone for good,” Mercy laughs. “What do you need, boss?”

 

“I need you to get me out of this hellhole. I seem to have landed myself in Wales,” Lex explains quickly, though not bothering to address the Nimueh side of things. 

 

---

 

Lex thinks there’s something so right about having the focus of the entire gala on him, especially when coupled with the gloriously shocked look on Lena’s face. She has her little pet Kryptonian with her as well as two men Lex doesn’t recognize. 

 

It can’t be, Nimueh hissed. He’s gotten used to her voice in his head, chiming in at the most inopportune moments, but never before in the few months they’ve been in each other’s company has he heard her sound so furious. How is he here? Nimueh seethes. She doesn’t seem to be inclined to give more details so Lex decides to ignore her for now. 

 

“Surpsrise,” Lex smirks as he approaches his little sister. “I couldn’t let you have all the fun, now could I?”

 

There is something so pleasurable about watching the color drain from Lena’s already pale face, it’s always been so easy to get under her skin.

 

The Kryptonian moves to stand between them, “You stay away from her.”

 

Lex scoffs, “Still following my sister around like a lost puppy are you, Kara Danvers?”

 

Kara frowns, but still stands firmly between them, “If you want Lena, you’re going to have to go through me.”

 

I fail to see why any of this is important, Nimueh mutters. There are far more pressing things at hand.

 

“Oh hush,” Lex mutters to himself before turning back to Kara. “What makes you think I really want anything to do with her?” He practically spits as he addresses Lena who shrinks back slightly. Just like all those years ago. 

 

She was around four years old when she arrived at their home. While Lena quickly tried to bond with the young Lex, he saw her for what she really was– a pawn. A very useful pawn, but that’s all she will ever be, even now. 

 

“Surely you know if I’m here there are bigger and better things than a trivial revenge plot,” Lex laughs. “Though, I will say, sis. Enjoy Luthor Corp while you still can.” 

 

Lena straightens, “I’m not particularly fond of gate crashers. So, you better walk your ass out of here or security will do it for you.”

 

Lex chuckles and again casts a glance at Kara, “You won’t do it for me?”

 

It’s much more fun to taunt the Kryptonian when she’s surrounded by a large group of people. Impossible to slip away and become the pest known as Supergirl. It’s satisfying seeing the way her fists clench in anger, yet she can’t do anything for fear of revealing her secret identity.

 

“I’ve seen what you’re doing to my company,” Lex continues in a lazy drawl, “it’s absolutely pathetic. No wonder you never fit in with this family. You don’t have what it takes to be a true Luthor.”

 

“That isn’t the insult you think it is,” says Lena, her voice firm. 

 

“Isn’t it?” Lex scoffs. “I could see how you felt when mother looked you over, reminding you that you were never really one of us. Father thought so too in the end–”

 

That seems to do it, the remark cracks Lena ever so slightly. Lionel Luthor was a complicated man, but for a time he seemed to favor his illegitimate child. Lex was out of the house by the time their father passed away, but even he saw the way their father started to turn on Lena, too. She was frequently the subject of angry outbursts because she was never exactly what they wanted her to be.

 

Lex knows he’s struck a nerve when he sees a tear slowly start to roll down Lena’s cheek. “You know it’s true, sis. We all do. No one ever wanted you to run this company. This wasn’t built for you. It was built for me.”

 

She may claim it’s not an insult, but Lex knows deep down how his sister feels. The validation she consistently fought for and undoubtedly still does. 

 

I fail to see the point in any of this , Nimueh sounds extremely bored as Lex’s gaze momentarily drifts to the others surrounding Lena besides Kara. Those two are who you should be concerned with . 

 

“I don’t see why,” Lex says, forgetting for a moment that nobody else can hear Nimueh and speaking at full volume. He corrects quickly, “I don’t see why you even try.”

 

Now, instructs Nimueh, her voice starting to fill with panic, You must get out of here now!

 

One of the men standing not far behind Lena and her pet alien takes a step forward. He’s dark-haired, on the skinny side, and doesn’t look like much of a threat. 

 

That’s him, hisses Nimueh, He’s here again, too. But how?

 

Then his eyes start glowing gold and Nimueh becomes a whole lot more frantic. 

 

Get out! Nimueh’s voice is so loud it rings in his head. Get out! Get out! Get out!

 

“Keep calm,” Lex grumbles as he glances around the ballroom.

 

There’s a large clatter, then a large ice sculpture as well as the table it was set on clatters to the ground in several pieces. As Mercy moves to slip away, Lex does the same. They’ll see each other again soon. 

Chapter 4

All of them returned to her penthouse, Lena is curled up on the couch clutching a mug of tea Kara gave her. Sam shooed her away from the gala, insisting she’ll take care of everything else and Lena has never been more grateful.

 

Lex’s words struck a nerve, they always do. He always manages to make her feel so small and worthless. This time is no different even though she’s wondering how the fuck he managed to escape the fractured remains of the Phantom Zone. 

 

Lena thinks back to her meeting with J’onn discussing the spikes of 5th Dimensional energy across the city. Surely this isn’t a coincidence, right? It seems extremely unlikely. 

 

“Come here, Zhao ,” Kara sits beside her urging Lena to curl up next to her. As the CEO does so, she finally breaks. Lena hates showing this sort of weakness and hasn’t ever done so in front of Merlin or Arthur, but tonight is just too much. 

 

“He was supposed to be gone,” Lena sniffs, “I was supposed to be free from him, mourn him, and everything else.”

 

“I know, I know,” Kara soothes, holding Lena close. 

 

Lena pretends for a moment it’s just the two of them, that this is a normal evening and they’re just cuddling on the couch. However, it isn’t a lasting fantasy. 

 

“So,” Merlin says, his voice uncharacteristically gentle, “that was your brother, then.”

 

Lena sighs and sniffles, unburying her face from the crook of Kara’s neck while continuing to rest it on her girlfriend’s shoulder. “Unfortunately.”

 

“Seems like a real piece of work.” Merlin comments. 

 

Kara snorts, “That’s an understatement.” 

 

“He has a way of making me feel so…” Lena trails off, she isn’t exactly sure how to describe the way simply being around Lex brings out every single deep-seated insecurity instilled in her from a young age. She feels Kara’s arms slip around her waist, it’s grounding and Lena is able to take a breath and find her voice.

 

“I knew Lillian never wanted me, even when I was little,” Lena takes a large gulp of tea, “but Lex was different. I fell for his trap hook, line, and sinker.”

 

“You were a child,” Kara mutters, “you couldn’t have known. No one could.”

 

Lena rubs her eye and groans when she sees a black smudge on the back of her hand from what remains of her mascara. She reaches for a tissue and carefully tries to wipe it away. 

 

“God, I thought I was a shit brother,” Arthur scoffs.

 

To Lena his statement in this moment is actually so absurd she starts to laugh, “You have a long way to go to catch up to Lex.” 

 

Arthur grimaces, slumping down into a nearby loveseat in the same crisp white material as Lena’s couch. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

 

“There’s a reason Kal has referred to Lex as his arch-nemesis,” Kara pipes up, “He’s not one to throw phrases like that around lightly.”

 

“And here I thought Arthur was the only one to have an arch-nemesis,” Merlin comments dryly. 

 

Arthur scoffs. “What? I’ve never had a nemesis , what are you on about?”

 

Merlin levels him with a look. “The day we met I literally had to save you from a sorceress who tried to kill you as revenge for your father killing her son.”

 

“Aha, so it was against my father, not me,” Arthur says, as if he’s making a good argument when he was literally the intended target of attack. 

 

“Well, then there was Morgause, Valiant, King Cenred,” Merlin drawls, counting off on his fingers, “Nimueh, Mordred.”

 

“Okay,” huffs Arthur, “enough.”

 

Merlin is grinning now, clearly pleased by how riled up Arthur is getting. “And let’s not forget your uncle Agravaine who—”

 

“That’s it.” Arthur pops up from where he’s been seated and starts toward the Warlock.

 

Then they’re scuffling, still in their fancy suits as Arthur gets Merlin in a headlock. The tension is completely broken and Lena can’t help but laugh. Kara leans even closer to whisper in her ear. 

 

“Fighting or foreplay?”

 

Lena smirks, seeing the way Merlin’s eyes are bright and his grin blinding. Especially when he and Arthur end up in a tangle of limbs on the loveseat, still sniping words at each other. “Definitely foreplay.”

 

She sobers pretty quickly, though, as memories of the evening start rushing back. Lena also can’t seem to get the idea out of her mind that the spikes of 5th dimensional energy are related to Lex somehow escaping the Phantom Zone. It definitely feels like something to explore.  

 

It took the Superfriends months, with Lena working practically around the clock to bring Kara back from that horrible place. Sure, Lex has been gone for a little over two years, but who could have—

 

Mercy? Lena saw the older woman topple the ice sculpture and upend the table. However, that doesn’t explain the energy spikes. Things aren’t quite adding up just yet.

 

“Zhao?” Kara’s brow rises, the crinkle featuring prominently on her forehead. “You seem lost in your own world.”

 

“Maybe I am,” Lena sighs, “There’s just a few things on my mind.”

 

“Anything we can help with?” Merlin asks. His suit is definitely going to be full of wrinkles with the way he’s twisted and half in Arthur’s lap. 

 

Lena sighs, “I’m just…Lex was trapped in a place called the Phantom Zone. It took us a lot of time and energy to bring Kara back from that place. I don’t understand how he managed it.”

 

Merlin hummed in thought. “Could it have something to do with his magic?”

 

“Lex doesn’t have magic,” Lena tells him firmly. He can’t have magic. After all, it was her mother Elizabeth who had powers.

 

“You didn’t feel it?” Merlin asks, “It wasn’t anything crazy, just a sort of low level hum.”

 

“I wonder if,” Lena starts before cutting herself off. There’s a thought percolating in her mind, some kind of connection they haven’t made yet. She needs to test the theory. “Merlin, how would you feel about a little bit of magic research?”

 

“No,” Merlin whines, sounding more like a child than his actual 1500-ish year age, “I’m not good at books.”

 

“I was thinking of a more hands-on type of research.”

 

---

 

“Does it have to be him?” Arthur grouses sullenly. 

 

Lena rolls her eyes at his stride. “He’s the best option for this.”

 

It’s been nearly a week since the disastrous holiday gala. Although things have been quiet on the Lex front, Arthur knows Lena has been stressing about it. She seems particularly fixated on figuring out how he got out of wherever he was trapped, Arthur doesn’t understand it very well. Another dimension maybe? Whatever. The more important thing right now is the fact his—partner, boyfriend, something—Merlin is currently laughing, grinning, and joking around with Gwaine Greene. 

 

While most of their ragtag group of reincarnations either had their memories restored by force (Lena, Gaius, Arthur), chose not to get them back (Gwen, Lance, Elyan), or simply haven’t been brought into the fold yet (Arthur’s FBI partner Leon and occasional gym buddy Percival), Gwaine simply showed up with his memories of Camelot intact. 

 

Merlin isn’t really sure how it happened and Gwaine doesn’t remember ever getting magicked, but it has its benefits. He’s a brilliant scientific mind according to Lena. So much so that he’s her personal lab assistant. His knowledge of magic from having all of his previous memories intact makes him the perfect candidate to be in charge of the experiment Lena is hellbent on doing. And no, Arthur is not salty about Merlin telling Gwaine about his magic back then and not him. Why do you ask? 

 

“Jealousy isn’t a good look, Art,” Lena comments mildly. 

 

Arthur crosses his arms and definitely doesn’t pout. Lena doesn’t understand, she knows for a fact Kara will never stop looking her way. Arthur and Merlin on the other hand haven’t even solidified what they are to each other, other than “interested.” Plus, Arthur also knows that Gwaine fancied Merlin back in Camelot; he just doesn’t know if it was mutual. Anyway, he’s not jealous, Gwaine just rubs him the wrong way sometimes. As in, any time he levels a particular grin at Merlin. 

 

“Jealous? I’m not jealous, why would you say that?” Arthur scoffs before making an attempt to hold his head high. 

 

Lena’s green eyes narrow before she shakes her head, “Silly me, of course you’re not.” She then turns sharply on her heels as she approaches Gwaine and Merlin, her shoes click-clacking against the clean tile. 

 

This leaves Arthur alone for a moment, definitely not sulking as he watches the trio start to discuss things. Arthur takes a moment to observe, watching the way Merlin is so animated when he speaks, his eyes bright, grinning broadly. Then Merlin catches Arthur’s gaze, his smile turns soft and his eyes go warm. Suddenly, the little flame of jealousy he was harboring snuffs out. 

 

“We’ll have to try different types, too,” Lena is saying when Arthur joins them, “There’s so little we know about how magic interacts with modern technology and how it will register on our scanners.” 

 

Gwaine nods, sipping coffee out of his Bill Nye mug, “You said you have some data for comparison?”

 

Lena nods, producing a flash drive and handing it to Gwaine. “This is from approximately the last four months.” 

 

Arthur awkwardly watches, not really exactly sure what is going on. This is far above his pay grade. It’s one thing when your younger sister is a sorceress, it’s another thing entirely when she’s a powerful CEO and scientific genius on top of it. 

 

“You’re absolutely certain Lex doesn’t have magic?” Merlin asks.

 

Lena nods, clicking around on the computer, “Yes, it’s not from the Luthor side of the family. Plus, he relied heavily on dimensional imp magic in the past.“

 

“There was another person, an accomplice?” Arthur suggests.

 

Again, Lena shakes her head, “Mercy? No, she favors her fists. Though no doubt if she had magic she’d be incredibly dangerous.“

 

“Besides, the magic was radiating off Lex himself,” Merlin adds.

 

“It just doesn’t make sense,” Lena sighs, shaking her head. “We’re missing something.”

“Wait, hang on,” Arthur says, holding up a hand, brow furrowed, “stupid question, but what exactly is the goal here? What are we trying to figure out?”

 

To her credit, Lena doesn’t look at all exasperated when she responds. Probably too deep in genius scientist mode to even think about being in teasing sister mode. 

 

“We know fifth dimensional energy is associated with the Phantom Zone,” she begins, “and we know from experience that you’d need a lot of it to get out.”

 

“That’s where Lex was,” Arthur clarifies for his own benefit. He’s making mental notes, collecting evidence the same way he would in his normal day-to-day work. 

 

“There have been increasing spikes of fifth dimensional energy in the past half a year or so with the largest one being only a few months ago,” Lena explains, “they started out weak, but with a large range and have been becoming more and more localized. Now, with the added knowledge that there is something magical going on with Lex…” 

 

Arthur nods sharply. “Checking to see if magic and fifth dimensional energy present the same on your scanning equipment. Got it.” When he sees the way the others are looking at him he crosses his arms defensively. “What? I may not be a genius, but I am an investigating agent at the FBI. I know how to put two and two together.”

 

Lena gives him a brief look and shrugs her shoulders, “Very well, so we’re all on the same page.”

 

She starts typing rapidly, “I thought it would be useful to save the data energy signatures from our last magical forays, both with Nyxly and Morgause.“

 

Arthur watches as Lena pulls up graphs and tries his best to scan through the information.

 

“Now we need to include both mine and Merlin’s so we can rule those out,” Lena continues to explain. “The more information the better.”

 

“What do you need from me?” Merlin asks, “What sorts of things would you like to see?”

 

Lena pulls up another document, a text file with a bullet-point list that seems to be separated into sections.  

 

“We’ll start with the basics,” begins Lena, beckoning Merlin closer. 

 

Arthur is so lost in watching them interact that he doesn’t notice Gwaine sidle up to him. 

 

“Penny for your thoughts.”

 

Arthur looks at the other man, seeing the sincerity underneath the shit-eating grin that seems to be perpetually plastered on his face. He can’t help, but want to be honest, thinking about the last time the two of them had actually been together. Right before Arthur’s command had sent Gwaine to his death. 

 

“I’ve been getting better at wrapping my head around this whole thing,” Arthur says, “Seeing Lena without remembering Morgana.”

 

Gwaine nods, “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

 

“What was it like,” Arthur asks, “growing up with a full set of memories from the past?”

 

“I’ve never known anything else,” Gwaine says, “for a while I thought everyone was like this. Then I talked to my parents about it for the first time and learned not to bring it up. After three psychiatrists and my second time being institutionalized before the age of thirteen, I just didn’t talk about it anymore.”

 

“Then you started hiding behind humor and flirting,” Arthur surmises. 

 

Gwaine shoots him a wink. “You got it, princess.”

 

Arthur snorts, shaking his head slightly, unable to hide the fondness in his expression. “So, even knowing who she was, you decided to work for Lena anyway?”

 

“Of course,” Gwaine shrugged. “L-Corp is one of the most scientifically advanced companies in the U.S., if not the world. It’s an incredible opportunity. Even knowing who she was, Lena is so much more than all that.”

 

Arthur nods, glancing over at his sister hard at work and thinks about how unfair things really were for Morgana. Of course, it was literally a different time and despite all her struggles, Lena was still afforded different opportunities. It does make him think a little bit about his own circumstances and how…similar things were for him. In both of his lives, he is the son of a high-powered and wealthy man who wanted Arthur to take over the family business. In both his lives, he has been interested in sports and fitness, he has made it his life’s work to improve the world, and he has been unwittingly drawn into a life of magic. It’s a little odd for him how little things have changed since Camelot. He’s not sure what it says about him. 

 

“If you could have had the choice,” murmurs Arthur, “would you have asked to have your memories returned?”

 

“Yes,” Gwaine replies definitively, “I think I’d be too curious not to.”

 

“Gwaine,” Lena calls, “I want to get started.”

 

“Coming,” Gwaine calls back, giving Arthur a pat on the shoulder before walking over to his boss.

 

Arthur shuffles over to where the other three are working feeling a bit like a third wheel. “Do you need anything from me?”

 

Lena turns, sweeping her hair up into a ponytail at the back of her head and rolling up the sleeves on her blouse. “Uhh…well—“

 

The brunette pauses, biting her lip, “Why don’t you just take a seat for now?” She suggests, pointing at the currently vacated rolling chair. “Sorry,” she shrugs her face flushing slightly. “I’m not used to having this many people involved in my work.”

 

Arthur takes a seat and reaches for one of the many fidget toys scattered across Gwaine’s desk.

 

---

 

If there is one component Lex can comfortably give his sister, it’s that she is unfortunately not an idiot. It is obvious when looking through the L-Corp— a name Lex sneers at whenever he thinks about it—employee files that she got rid of anybody who was on his side. A full refresh of employees. Which is a little frustrating because one of the employees will be his key to getting past the internal security and planting the seeds to Lena’s destruction. 

 

“It can’t be anyone too high ranking,” Mercy explains as she spreads out the actual physical files she’s brought him. 

 

A computer can be traced, but with paper files, Lex can search and annotate to his mind’s content without having to worry about his plans being discovered. 

 

“She certainly is thorough,” Mercy notes. “She even cleared custodial staff too.”

 

Lex grits his teeth, not that a custodian would ever be much use to them.

 

Mercy hums as she shoves the files labeled “Samantha Arias” and “Jessica Huang” off to the side. “They’ll never do,” she mutters. 

 

Lex reaches for another stack of files, “Do we have any leads at all?”

 

“Lena has implemented an internship program,” Mercy remarks. 

 

What is an internship? Nimueh has been fairly quiet since the gala and the encounter with the boy with the golden eyes, so her voice comes as a bit of a shock. 

 

“An internship,” muses Lex, “they’d be fairly young, malleable minds ripe for the taking. Possible, very possible.”

 

I see , says Nimueh, like an apprentice.

 

“Exactly,” Lex replies, flipping through the files, “but we need someone who’s newer and hasn’t had time to be corrupted by my dear sister. However, it should also be someone who can get close to her.”

 

Mercy pages through another stack of employee files, putting most of them to the side, seemingly searching for one in particular. 

 

“The program has been running for about a year and half already,” Mercy explains, “She usually takes on a new intern every semester and it’s supposed to be a two semester program with the potential for hiring.”

 

It’s just past Christmas, which means the new semester is starting very soon. The timing can’t be more perfect if he had planned it that way.  

 

“Who is in the most recent batch?” Lex asks.

 

Mercy sifts through a stack and places four files in front of him. Lex skims through the names. “Wallace West, Joe Siegal, Otto Binder, and…Maurice Forrestt.”

 

Lex can’t explain why, but the last name has him intrigued so he pulls it closer, “Who are you Maurice Forrestt?”

 

He flips it open to read through general details and look at the photo of the young man with a messy mop of dark hair. High school valedictorian, graduated with honors, high marks in chemistry and biology, physics not far behind, junior undergraduate, majoring in biochemical engineering. At just 16, he won the Society for Science’s top prize in their International Science and Engineering Fair for his work on therapeutic proteins. Lex can see why this kid got the job, he’s practically tailor-made for it. Considering his only other job is as a barista, Lex bets he’s been severely understimulated. 

 

Smart enough to be able to help do the dirty work, but inexperienced enough to be easily manipulated. Pretty much the perfect candidate. 

 

“I think we’ve got our man,” Lex smirks, sliding the file toward Mercy.

 

She reads through the file with relish, “Bingo and I think we know exactly where to find him.”

Chapter 5

Try as he might, for the life of him, Merlin cannot understand game nights. Sometimes it just feels so…pointless? 

 

Besides the fact most of the games are rather odd, all of them make Arthur overly competitive. Especially if he finds himself losing against Lena.

 

Yet here they are in Kara’s somewhat cramped loft apartment.

 

“Uhh, just put your coats and stuff here,” Kara gestures at her coat rack in the corner. “Grab some snacks and make yourself comfortable.“

 

Merlin nods, doing just that. The people who have arrived for the night seem a little sparse compared to what he expected. 

 

Kara seems to pick up on this as well, “Uhh, Lena went down the block to get something, she’ll be back any minute. Alex and Kelly’s babysitter bailed so they can’t make it and it seems everyone else has hit some bad traffic.”

 

“But we’re here!” Nia loudly proclaims. 

 

Beside her, Brainy is organizing an entire stack of games while the young hero shuffles a deck of cards. 

 

Merlin makes his way over and plops down on the couch when he notices a shiny black box in front of Nia.

 

“The card game for horrible people? Nia, what is this?” Merlin asks, sliding the box closer to himself. 

 

Nia lets out a dramatic sigh, “Kara finally said we can play this one without you running off into the hills.”

 

Merlin blinks, not sure what to make of the statement.

 

“Besides, it’s one of the few she consistently loses at because she’s too pure for this world,” Nia adds.

 

Merlin continues to be baffled. “I don’t know what that means.”

 

He misses the dice games of old where everything was based on luck. Or, that’s how Merlin fondly remembers it as he sends a glance toward Arthur, there might have been some slight magical cheating. 

 

“Trust me, it’s fun,” Nia chirps.

 

Merlin likes Nia, she’s sweet. Sometimes, on days when Arthur is working and he finds himself overwhelmingly bored, Merlin likes to bring Nia lunch at CatCo. He will occasionally stay a bit longer to just hang in the corner and listen. If Nia didn’t work for Kara, Merlin probably wouldn’t be allowed to do it, but as it is she tolerates this as long as Nia actually gets her work done.  

 

Merlin still gives the young hero a wary glance as the front door swings open and Lena breezes in carrying a couple of bags.

 

“Darling, they were out of those chips you like,” Lena shucks off her coat, placing the bags on the kitchen island before pouring herself some scotch. That’s when she  finally realizes Merlin is there.

 

“Oh, hey, Merlin,” Lena greets. “When did you sneak in here?”

 

“A couple of minutes ago,” Merlin shrugs. “Nia was just explaining—“

 

He looks back at the box and cocks his head to the side as he reads the box again, “Cards Against Humanity?”

 

Lena snorts, nearly choking on her scotch, “You’re kidding.”

 

“What’s wrong with Cards Against Humanity?” Nia pouts.

 

Before Lena can answer, there’s a knock on the front door. Kara opens it to reveal Gwaine holding a bottle of alcohol in each hand. 

 

“I’m here,” he announces, “now the real party can begin.”

 

Gwaine companionably pats Kara on the shoulder before making a bee-line to Merlin, plopping down beside him and slinging an arm around his shoulders. 

 

“Hey there, Merls,” Gwaine says with a grin, “Where’s the princess?”

 

“In the kitchen mixing drinks.”

 

“Ah!” Gwaine waves at Arthur frenetically. “Pour me something while you’re at it!”

 

Arthur sighs dramatically, but does what’s asked of him as Lena joins the group.

 

“So, what’s the deal with this game?” Merlin asks.

 

“What ga—“ Gwaine’s eyes fall on the box before he bursts into laughter. “W-Whose idea was this?”

 

“Me!” Nia preens. “It’s a good one isn’t it?”

 

“Someone please explain!” Merlin groans.

 

“Excellent,” Gwaine grabs the box and immediately starts shuffling through various stacks of cards.

 

Lena rolls her eyes. “Basically, the point of the game is to be as rude and crass as possible.”

 

“Like a kid playing Mad-Libs, but picking the dirtiest words,” Gwaine grins, nudging Merlin’s knee. 

 

Merlin levels him with a look. “Yes, because I definitely played…whatever it is you just said during my childhood about 1500 years ago. I had lots of time in between doing farm work and being manservant to an arrogant prince.”

 

“You fill in the blank,” Gwaine explains, which really doesn’t explain much of anything, “Look, let’s just start. I’m sure you’ll pick it up.”

 

Arthur came over, a drink in each hand, and gave one to each Merlin and Gwaine. “Here.”

 

Gwaine sips and makes a face. “What the hell, Arthur, this is so sweet.”

 

“You asked me to make you a drink? You take what you’re given,” Arthur snarks. 

 

Merlin takes a sip of his own drink. It’s sweet, but also has some sour notes that accompany the strong tang of alcohol. He thinks it might be rum. 

 

“I like it,” Merlin announces, licking his lips just to see the way Arthur’s gaze smolders as he glances down at him. 

 

“No accounting for taste,” sighs Gwaine. He’s obviously referring to Merlin’s taste, both in drinks and in boyfriends. 

 

“Come on, let’s play,” Nia urges. 

 

“Yes,” agrees Brainy with a resolute nod, “I’m eager to get started. Don’t worry, Merlin, I’ll help you with any references you don’t understand. I had to learn a lot of things when I first arrived as well.”

 

Merlin shot Brainy a grateful look. With an affectionate ruffle of Merlin’s hair, Arthur sets off to greet Gwen and Lance, who have just arrived. Merlin watches him go. 

 

“So, who is going to judge first?” Kara sits herself beside Lena. 

 

“Why not you?” Nia asks innocently.

 

Merlin watches as the hero’s face starts to turn a deep shade of crimson.

 

“Oh I uhh–I don’t think that’s such a great idea,” Kara laughs awkwardly and adjusts her glasses. 

 

“I think it’s an awesome idea,” Nia shoots back.

 

“You’re talking to the woman who says ‘golly’ on a regular basis,” Lena mutters into her glass.

 

“Which is why this is so much fun!” Nia declares. “Brainy, back me up here.” 

 

Brainy shrugs, “Seeing as Kara is somewhat adverse to crude language, a trait shared with her cousin, I can certainly understand why there is additional level of amusement in making her partake in reading such language out loud to friends–”

 

“Sounds like a good enough reason to me,” Gwaine interrupts, “Motion passed, Kara will judge first.”

 

Kara looks at Lena, her blue eyes widening in a stare that Merlin has been on the receiving end from Arthur many times. It’s so difficult to resist that Merlin is gobsmacked when Lena simply shrugs. 

 

“Sorry, darling, I think I have to agree.”

 

Kara belts out a groan and pouts, “Betrayed by my own girlfriend. What is this world coming to?”

 

“Well, I am a Luthor,” Lena grins.

 

“Thems the breaks, kid,” teases Nia, “Now, deal the cards.”

 

Merlin finds the game is pretty easy to understand once they get into it. The thing he has difficulty with is the contents of the cards. He just…doesn’t get it. Most of his strategy just involves him randomly playing cards and hoping for the best, which isn’t much. Especially when most of the players are aiming to kill.

 

“Sam!” Lena shrieks. “What the fuck? Kid tested, mother approved? For an Oedipus Complex?”

 

“What can I say, I know how to break you,” Sam straightens. “Now, hand the card over.”

 

Lena sighs and slides the black card toward the CFO who is acting very dramatic, “I’d like to thank the Academy–”

 

“Merlin, you’re up,” Lena shoves the box in his direction.

 

He hesitates as he looks at the box feeling nervous. To be perfectly honest, he’s been kind of dreading the moment that he’d be the one to judge the cards. He reaches over and reveals a black card. 

 

“Me hungry,” he reads, “me want…”

 

The grammar is odd and wrong, but nobody comments on it so Merlin figures it must be a reference to something. Sitting and waiting while the other players look at their cards and giggle is a strangely nerve-wracking experience. Slowly, one by one they put down cards. Brainy was pulled away into some conversation with Arthur and they lost Gwaine the last time he went to grab another drink. So now, it’s just Merlin, Lena, Kara, Sam, and Nia left playing. 

 

Once the white cards are placed down, Merlin shuffles them around before lifting them to look at them. They’ve been playing with the rule that the person giving judgement has to decide before reading out all the cards to the group. That way they won’t be swayed in their choice by everyone’s reactions. Merlin frowns at the cards. Some of them, like “boobies” and “drinking until sunrise” he understands, but some of the cards are just baffling. Now, everybody is watching him try to make a decision. 

 

“Um,” Merlin hedges, “who’s Daniel Radcliffe and is there a reason why someone would think his asshole is delicious?”

 

His voice must be louder than he anticipated because across the room there’s a loud sputter as Gwaine sprays the latest sip of his drink from bursting into laughter. 

 

---

 

Nimueh hates the sensation of lurking in the background of everything. The fact Lex can simply brush her off whenever he pleases makes her crazy. How the hell is she supposed to do anything if all she can do is converse with the bald bastard? So, it’s quite a delight when she realizes something is happening.

 

It’s small things at first. 

 

A twitch of a pinky here and small movement of a foot there. Things Lex either doesn’t notice or seems to pointedly ignore. It’s not the same as having her own body back, but it’s a start. Isn’t it? 

 

It’s amazing the things you take for granted and don’t appreciate until they’re gone. She honestly isn’t sure what she thought it would be like to be reincarnated, but it certainly wasn’t this. At first, when she reawakened to consciousness she didn’t realize she was inside someone else’s mind. The Phantom Zone is confusing and disorienting enough on its own if Lex’s descriptions are anything to go by, so she isn’t sure how long it took her to notice. One moment she’s being humiliatingly struck down. Next, she’s in some strange place and, within a blink, she’s in the mindscape of some human attempting to rouse him from his stupor. 

 

The entire time they were stuck in Wales, Nimueh was trying to figure out why Lex was chosen? (Also, Wales? Really? If you ask her it’s a stupid name to give a place that was once a hub for the Druidic Old Religion, although not quite as stupid as the name Camelot .) Why him? Why Lex Luthor ? What possible reason would the Triple Goddess have to allow her to be reincarnated into his body. Presumably, if the Phantom Zone hadn't been involved to mess things up, Nimueh would have simply awoken one day as him. 

 

During their time in Wales, Nimueh learns very quickly that the “internet” is an unmatched tool in this world she has found herself in. Without very much effort, one can have a host of information about a person at one’s fingertips; their past, their present, even their future. It’s like scrying, but without the margin for error or misinterpretation. 

 

Nimueh gets her first “why” answer from the internet the moment she sees the image of Lex’s sister. She may have been more focused on Pendragon, but Nimueh could never forget Lady Morgana. Uther’s ward wasn’t much of anything, just a noble who supported the regime that destroyed magic, there has to be a reason. Which brings up the second “why” question: Why now? Something that was answered at the gala. That Merlin whelp, somehow reunited with Uther Pendragon’s spawn he was once so willing to die for. It’s obvious to her that the Triple Goddess brought her back to cut them down and prevent the rise of a new corrupt Camelot. To do so, she needs her magic. 

 

Therefore, she moves Lex’s fingers in the little moments when he isn’t paying attention to them. 

 

The man is far too egotistical and caught up in his own schemes that something so small doesn’t even phase him. 

 

Eventually, it starts to become even easier and the movements become bigger. It’s extremely satisfying when she can finally close his hand into a fist. It’s far cry from having the use of her magic, but it’s something. Even with the knowledge that Lex doesn’t notice the movement in his hands, Nimueh knows she needs to be careful. A gut feeling tells her it will be best to make sure Lex doesn’t know she can take even the smallest modicum of control. She gets the feeling he’ll use it against her somehow. 

 

She’s seen how quickly Lex is angered by people physically in his purview. While this situation is unique, Nimueh has to admit she has some concerns. However, it’s not enough to stop her from fighting for more power.

 

Sleep is something else that makes taking control easier, she doesn’t have to compete with his brain the way she does when he’s awake. It’s in those hours that Nimueh is really able to flourish. Before long, she is able to take full control of Lex’s body while his mind sleeps, which is exactly what she’s doing tonight. 

 

Nimueh opens one of her eyes to see the ceiling of the room where Lex sleeps. She isn’t sure exactly where they are. Even if Lex often says the name of the town, it isn’t like Nimueh has any frame of reference to know where they are relative to Camelot or Wales or wherever. What she does know is that they are not staying anywhere Lex had ever called home. It is a safe house of some kind owned by Mercy, the woman who was instrumental in getting them out of Wales. 

 

Nimueh looks at the reflection in the mirror expecting to see herself only to again be met with the familiar face and bald head belonging to Lex Luthor. She lets out a sigh before turning away, keen to focus on what she’s able to do at this moment.

 

She opens the door with a creak and glances around. Not seeing Mercy anywhere, she decides perhaps now she can take time to herself. It’s as close to being her own person as she can manage right now.

 

The floorboards creak a little here and there and there is the distant, far off sound of crickets. She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment, allowing the energy of the night to fill her senses. As Nimueh releases her breath, she spreads her fingers wide in an attempt to reach out with her magic. It’s been difficult connecting with her power while sharing a mind. It’s like Lex’s non-magical consciousness is causing some kind of block. She can feel it tingling at the edges of her mind, but accessing it is more difficult. 

 

After a long and unsuccessful moment, Nimueh opens her eyes again to expel a frustrated noise. Well then. She rolls her neck and slowly makes her way through the house hoping maybe there’s another place in the building where she can feel it better. Or at the very least waste some time. 

 

There’s a small porch at the back of the house facing a field of tall grasses that are blowing gently in the cold winter air. Seeing the spirals of her breath in the cold air is grounding in a way. She may be stuck residing in Lex’s body, but she’s still there. She’s still Nimueh, High Priestess of the Old Religion.

 

It’s satisfying to focus, feeling the cold breeze surrounding her as she tries to concentrate on her magic. The connection to her magic is just under the surface, barely out of reach. Mentally she reaches, spreading her fingers wide as if she can physically catch the magic in her hands, her brow furrows. 

 

“Come on.”

 

It takes a moment before she realizes she’s spoken out loud. It’s Lex’s voice, of course, his pitch and his accent, but her words. 

 

Again Nimueh tries to focus, shoving this idea from her mind. Ignoring the voice that isn’t her own. She’s so close. 

 

There’s a warmth growing at her finger tips and a shiver slowly starts to run down her spine. So close, so very close. 

 

“Lex?” 

Chapter 6

Mercy Graves has been Lex’s right hand for close to twenty-years. She was his first personal hire once he officially took over Luthor Corp after Lionel passed. This began a long and storied career by his side.

 

She saw everything, she knew everything. Hell, she even took a teenage Lena under her wing. A desperately sad little thing who sought love and validation wherever she could find it. There were moments back then when Mercy wondered if she might be backing the wrong horse, seeing how brilliant the youngest Luthor really was. Especially when she wasn’t being stifled by Lex and Lillian. 

 

Mercy Graves has seen it all, the rise and fall. Lex’s incarceration, his escape. She’s been around for all of it. 

 

So, while she was surprised to get a call from him months ago, she had a feeling he was never really gone for good. Lex has always been too smart for that.

 

As soon as Mercy was aware Lex was back on earth, that he was alive, she instantly got to work. She knows exactly what she needs to do. It’s simple enough to get access to one of the many emergency accounts Lex set up, she has secondary ownership on a couple of them after all. 

 

In the time Lex was gone, his passport expired, but with the right amount of money getting a new one expedited is easy. Once she knows where Lex is, Mercy finds the closest bank and opens an account under his name for the purposes of wiring enough money to get him through the next week. She figures it will be enough time to get the new passport and take it to him. She doesn’t trust sending an official document through international mail when Lex isn’t technically a resident. 

 

All in all, it’s relatively easy considering the things Mercy has done for the Luthors in the past. 

 

It’s not surprising that Lex wants to take Luthor Corp when he gets back to National City. Still, Mercy admires the work Lena has done over the last couple years. 

 

First and foremost, Mercy is loyal to herself, if she isn’t then who will be? After that, comes the Luthors, typically Lex. 

 

Again, Mercy admires the youngest Luthor. She saw something in her that neither Lex nor Dr. Luthor ever did. Tragic, really. It’s why Mercy did what she did in the first place, nurturing what she saw in the young woman. Not out of the kindness of her heart, but for encouraging the potential she saw there. 

 

It’s for her own self-interest. What if by some opportunity Lena was the Luthor she should be backing? The history she shares with Lex doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

 

Is it selfish? Yes. 

 

However, Mercy has plans and while Lex has helped bring a lot of them to fruition, whenever he stops being useful, she has no problem jumping ship. Finding greener pastures, so to speak. 

 

She’s seen what happens to those who thoroughly bought into Lex’s hype. Eve for example, was probably the most embarrassing. Mercy swears that will never be her. 

 

In most ways, Lex is still the same person he was before. He’s still smart and cunning, narcissistic and sly, just a tad overdramatic, but there are also things that are a little different. Mercy can’t exactly blame him for that, she doesn’t know what it was like to be trapped in the Phantom Zone, but she imagines it wasn’t very fun. 

 

So what if he’s a bit twitchier than he used to be, a bit more closed off and tight-lipped about what he’s going through. She’s also noticed him talking to himself. It would happen sometimes before, especially when he was particularly engrossed and needed to verbalize things to make sure he understood, but now he just…talks. Sometimes he’s only muttering under his breath, but occasionally he also says something in his full voice, seemingly out of nowhere as if continuing a conversation Mercy isn’t privy to. 

 

For a time, it’s none of her business. Why should it be? Especially since this is hardly the first time Lex’s mental health has ever been called into question. Things like that tend to happen when you orchestrate a plan to give earth a red sun in an attempt to defeat your biggest rival, despite the fact the planet can’t survive under those conditions. Mercy was there as Lena desperately pleaded with her brother to stop. 

 

It’s how the youngest Luthor got stuck cleaning up her brother’s mess the first time. 

 

The point being, Lex has never been the most stable. His ego and anger tend to guide him more than anything else.

 

So, Mercy stays out of it until one night at their safe house many miles outside of National City’s city limits when she finds herself unable to sleep.

 

It’s far too peaceful out here, compared to the bustle of the city she’s used to. Nothing but the sound of wind blowing through tall grasses to even remotely remind Mercy she’s alive. The house itself is quiet, but certainly not silent . There’s always the sound of something, whether it be the creaking of the wood settling or the gentle rustling of leaves against the window glass on a windy night. It’s why she doesn’t realize at first that she isn’t the only one awake.

 

The soft murmur of a voice also sounds like the distant rumble of a passing car, after all. As she approaches the door to the back porch she notices it’s slightly cracked open and words are drifting in from outside. It’s soft but unmistakably Lex’s voice. 

 

“Come on.”

 

Mercy steps out onto the deck and sees the strangest sight. Lex is standing in the damp grass, barefoot in pajamas, much less put-together than she is used to seeing him. His eyes are closed, his brows furrowed, fingers spread wide. 

 

“Lex?”

 

The man in question gives a full-body flinch (another oddity) and whips around to stare at her. A flash of frustration crosses his face then anger. Surprisingly, she then sees fear before his face settles on something neutral. 

 

Mercy’s eyes narrow as she puts her hands on her hips, “What are you doing out here?”

 

“What does it matter to you?” Lex shoots back.

 

Something is off, far more off than usual at least. With her interest piqued, Mercy decides she needs to know more.

 

“Well, we’ve been a team for years,” Mercy shrugs. Again, she notices what seems like confusion crossing Lex’s face. “I’ve always found it to be best when you and I are on the same page.”

 

Lex glares at her, “It’s not important.”

 

“Sure,” Mercy scoffs. “The Phantom Zone really fucked you up, didn’t it?”

 

Lex’s face twitches in an odd way. “I guess that’s one way to describe it.”

 

Mercy has known Lex for long enough that she believes she’d be able to tell the difference between him and someone else. Alternate dimensions are a thing, it isn’t too far a stretch to think it’s possible there’s been a bit of a cross-contamination. 

 

The thing is, up until now, Mercy has been well and truly confident in the fact that the Lex standing before her, the one that reluctantly called her for help, giving her those easy to follow commands, is her Lex. The one she knows. For the first time now he feels…wrong. She just can’t put her finger on why, at least not yet. 

 

“What was it like?” Mercy asks, subtle enough that she believes he won’t be able to tell she’s mildly interrogating him, checking to see if he answers the way she knows he would answer. 

 

Lex shrugs, which is already strange enough. He’s the sort of man who has an answer for everything. He’s never been one to be of few words.

 

Mercy places her hands on her hips again as she waits for any sort of response from the man. “That bad?”

 

“Dark, cold…fractured,” Lex mutters.

 

Mercy huffs, “Fascinating.”

 

Internally, she has alarm bells going off inside her, what is going on with Lex? If it’s not a Lex from the multiverse, who could he be? She thinks back to his many projects over the years that have resulted in all sorts of attempts at cloning or similar. Nothing was ever truly successful, try as he might. 

 

Hell, he’s even tried to clone that damn Kryptonian in Metropolis with no success, trying to find a way to take him down once and for all. It was never stable enough. 

 

Perhaps the Phantom Zone provided him the chance to think? To really figure out the errors he made and he executed it right under Mercy’s nose? 

 

“Frustrating,” Lex counters, “to be limited in such a way. So disconnected from the energy of this world.”

 

If Mercy wasn’t sure before that something was very wrong, she is now. Lex is scientific, not spiritual. Whoever is standing before her has been doing a good job play-acting as Lex until now. It’s strange that they are all of a sudden giving the game away. 

 

“Energy of the world,” Mercy scoffs. “Wow, did the Phantom Zone make you all woo-woo and hippy-dippy? That’s new.” 

 

Lex frowns, “Woo-woo and hippy-dippy?” He repeats the words as if he has never heard them at all and doesn’t know what they mean. When he speaks again it’s more under his breath, but Mercy can hear enough to make out something about a Triple Goddess. 

 

This is particularly strange. Lex has never been a religious type by any stretch of the imagination. He mentioned his father, Lionel, would cling to Catholicism when it suited him to justify certain things. But Lex? Never.

 

“Okay, what the hell is going on here,” Mercy folds her arms across her chest.

 

There’s a brief moment where it looks like whoever it is will start making an excuse or attempt to brush off her questioning. Then a haughty look settles over Lex’s face, different from his usual expression.

 

“Fine,” huffs not-Lex, “congratulations, you figured out I’m not your little friend. As if I was trying very hard.”

 

“No, you weren’t,” Mercy drolls. “So, who the fuck are you?”

 

Not-Lex’s mouth twists into an expression of distaste. “Must you really use that language, it really doesn’t add the emphasis you think it does.”

 

“You’re not my mother,” Mercy rolls her eyes. “Now answer the question or I will refuse to help you any further with whatever you’re doing.”

 

This is debatable, she’ll hear out whatever this is that’s inhabiting her former boss, but she’s really never agreed to help. Mercy may as well have crossed her fingers behind her back.

 

“I am Nimueh,” not-Lex states imperiously, “High Priestess of the Old Religion and favored disciple of the Triple Goddess.”  

 

When Mercy hears this, she stops for a moment to process the words before she bursts out laughing. “You’ve got to be kidding me?!”

 

Not-Lex, or Nimueh if Mercy is going to humor this ridiculous charade, lets out a truly impressive noise of annoyance. “Enough of the laughter! I am a master sorceress, you will respect me.”

 

“Yeah…no.” Mercy shakes her head. “My respect is earned and you haven’t done so.” 

 

“You wouldn’t dare mock me if I were in my true body,” Nimueh snarls, “I have destroyed kings .”

 

“Well,” Mercy strides away, savoring the moment. “As the kids say, pics or it didn’t happen. Or some sort of bullshit like that.”

 

That seems to stump Nimueh a bit, in a way that doesn’t exactly convince Mercy this isn’t Lex doing some sort of prank or something. 

 

“What does that even mean?” Nimueh huffs, “This century makes absolutely no sense. Don’t walk away from me! You turn your back?”

 

Then something happens that Mercy absolutely doesn’t expect. There’s a feeling of something in the air like a static shock before the light bulb on one of the porch lights pops like a balloon, the shattered remnants tinkling as they hit the porch. When Mercy turns back to look at the person who appears to be Lex Luthor, she sees the burning golden color in his eyes fading away. For a moment afterward, they appear to be a bright icy blue before settling back to the steely blue-gray she knows. Well then, maybe there is something to this whole Nimueh story after all. 

 

---

It’s hard for Nimueh to get a read on Mercy. In fact, it takes several more night-time wanderings before Nimueh can even be slightly certain Mercy believes she is who she says she is. It’s an exercise in patience, something Nimueh has never really had the time for. 

 

However, there are ways Mercy holds herself or looks her over that seem to have Nimueh think she’s convinced the other woman. Even if she would rather not have to pander to her at all, she thinks there might be some use to having Mercy around. Of the things she’s learned since being in this time period, one is Lex is well-known, but certainly not well-liked. Which really mostly translates to Lex not getting out very often and in all honesty Nimueh is bored. 

 

He’s fixated on whatever he’s scheming, with the only bit of interest to Nimueh wondering what Lady Morgana has to do with it all,  though they continually refer to her as Lena. It’s not enough to maintain her interest for long, especially when she’s hell bent on reconnecting with her magic in this body. 

 

If she can do that, then she can do anything. Then neither Lex nor Mercy can stop her. By now, she can fairly easily and consistently move whichever hand Lex isn’t paying attention to. She practices touching each finger to the thumb, clenching the fist, and making circles with the wrist, over and over. She finds it rather soothing to go through all the physical exercises each time she fails to do magic. 

 

With each passing day, she seems to be gaining a little more control, even if the pace is far too slow for her liking. She reaches a point when it feels less like she’s using someone else’s hand and more like using her own. There’s still something surreal about it, but Nimueh feels the clear shift, the connection grows. 

 

Again, she starts to feel the powerful magic slowly start to course through her, a sensation Lex either doesn’t notice or chooses not to. All the better for her. It takes a while for her to recapture the tingling in her fingers she felt the first time she fully controlled the body and it’s strange to feel the first inklings of magic without getting the familiar sensation behind her eyes. 

 

Then she finally feels it, the sensation that rolls down her arm and into her fingers, then…across the room a chair shifts, just visible out of the corner of their shared eye. Nimueh quickly turns the attention of her consciousness inwards (a strange thing she had to learn how to do at the beginning), holding her metaphorical breath to see if Lex notices. He doesn’t and a sense of triumph rises within her. 

 

---

 

Arthur feels more than a little anxious about the date night he has planned with Merlin. Things are feeling more like they did before, but the veneer of awkwardness is still there. Which is why he decides to take Lena up on one of her many offers of pulling in a favor or two.

 

She still said no on the helicopter ride over the city, insisting it was too much. However, she did agree to get him into one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. According to her, the typical reservation list is at least six months in advance.

 

Arthur has to admit it’s beautiful, sitting up above the bay, looking at the water and the beach below. 

 

“How in the world did you pull this off?” Merlin steps up beside him.

 

“What, you don’t think I can set this up on my own?” Arthur frowns.

 

Merlin laughs, raising his brow.

 

“Fine, it was Lena,” Arthur begrudgingly admits. 

 

Merlin sighs, “Of course it was.”

 

“Is that such a bad thing?” Arthur shoots back.

 

Merlin casually shrugs in response as they walk to the entrance of the restaurant. It used to be the oddest feeling to have two different responses to the same situation bubble up within him side-by-side. There’s the part of Arthur who only met Merlin a handful of months ago that feels awkward and a little bit smitten, who wants to impress Merlin, be liked by him, and has the strong urge to make sure Merlin isn’t actually upset with him. What Arthur actually pays attention to is the part of himself who knows Merlin from the age of fifteen and has no qualms about being haughty or teasing until it toes the line of too much. 

 

“Alright then, Mer lin,” snarks Arthur, “you’re planning the next date. We’ll see how well you can do, Mr. I-Don’t-Own-a-Cell-Phone.”

 

Merlin raises an eyebrow. “Someone’s feeling cocky. Who says there will be a next date?”

 

“There will be.” Arthur smirks, holding the door open for him, “You wouldn’t dare pass up on all this. After you.”

 

He tries to hide it, but Arthur sees the familiar toothy grin spread across Merlin’s face. It fills Arthur with so much warmth and joy, both the agent and the prince, it’s actually shocking nothing ever happened between them in Camelot. Arthur has been coming to terms with the fact he’s maybe always been a bit smitten with Merlin in one way or another. 

 

They walk up to the hostess stand where a woman is standing neatly dressed in black.

 

“Table for two, under Pendragon,” Arthur clears his throat.

 

Nodding, the woman looks at the tablet in front of her and leads them into the dining area, “Right this way.”

 

The pair follow after her to a table in the corner surrounded by windows with a view of the water below.

 

“Here you go,” the hostess moves to let them sit. “Your waiter will be with you shortly.”

 

Arthur takes a seat, a little astonished at how nice this place really is. Even more so when a waiter sweeps by with an expensive bottle of wine and two glasses.

 

“On the house,” The waiter explains as he uncorks the bottle and pours generously for the two men.

 

Arthur has a hard time believing that to be true, “Lena…” He shakes his head as the waiter walks away and he reaches for a menu. 

 

It’s one of those fixed menu sort of places where you pay a ridiculous amount of money for several courses and you’re at the mercy of whatever the chef decides to cook. 

 

“Arthur,” Merlin says after a long moment, his brow furrowed, “what the hell?”

 

Arthur knows immediately what Merlin is speaking about. The names of the dishes give absolutely no indication of what they are. The first course is listed as simply “a cool summer breeze.”

 

“I know,” says Arthur, “I prefer a warm fall wind, myself.”

 

Merlin levels him with a flat look, one which Arthur meets and attempts to keep a straight face. He’s saved from breaking by the return of the waiter, trailed by two other waiters who each hold a dish. 

 

“Gentlemen,” the waiter intones, “to welcome you in to tonight’s exploration of flavor and form, we invite you to enjoy this cool summer breeze, a reprieve from the oppressive heat of external pressures.”

 

Each of them received a bowl with the center part raised so the whole thing looks a bit like a donut. The bowl part is filled with an orange-red liquid and there is a cracker-type thing sitting on the raised center section. 

 

“A gazpacho of summer produce,” explains the waiter, “accompanied by a pecorino peppercorn tuile.”

 

With a wary expression, Merlin spoons some of the gazpacho and takes a tentative sip. 

 

“Tomato,” he says with some surprise, “and…and a cheese crisp.” He blinks. “Is this just fancy tomato soup and grilled cheese?”

 

At that, Arthur’s composure breaks and he makes a snort of amusement, thankful he just swallowed his own bite of food. Then, they’re both laughing, probably far too loudly for this kind of establishment.

 

They continue in much the same way for a time when all of a sudden Arthur’s phone starts to buzz. He frowns, picking it up to see he’s actually missed a number of calls. “Shit,” he hisses before answering the phone.

 

“I hate to do this,” Lena sighs on the other end. “But…our dimensional scanners at the Tower are going off, we have no way to contact Merlin, and I knew where you would be.”

 

Arthur glances over at Merlin who is sipping his glass of wine, “It’s for you.”

 

Merlin hesitates before taking the phone from Arthur, “For me?”

 

Arthur nods, “And for the record, we’re getting you a phone now.”

 

Merlin frowns, but gingerly takes the phone as requested.

 

While Lena relays her information to the warlock, Arthur takes another sip of his wine and sighs. Of course they can’t possibly have a normal date night. The look on Merlin’s face is intense in the way that says he’s listening closely and thinking hard. Arthur wants to reach over to smooth out the crease between his furrowed brows. 

 

After a short while, Merlin hangs up the phone before sending Arthur an apologetic look. 

 

“I need to meet them at the Tower,” Merlin reluctantly says. 

 

“I’ll drive.”

 

They’re quiet on the drive to the Tower. When Merlin’s nervously tapping fingers get a bit too distracting, Arthur reaches over to tangle their fingers together, continuing the drive one-handed. When they arrive at the Tower, Merlin hesitates to leave the car. 

 

“Is it strange that I wish I could ask you to come with me?” Merlin asks. 

 

Arthur can’t help the chuckle that escapes him. “Considering how often you used to try to keep me out of danger?”

 

His response causes Merlin to laugh as well. “I suppose so.”

 

“You know I won’t be much help if you’re dealing with magic stuff,” reasons Arthur, “it’s not exactly my normal field work and I’m not a clueless prince waving a sword around anymore.”

 

“Excuse you, you weren’t a clueless prince,” scoffs Merlin, then he grins, “you were a clueless king . Get it right.”

 

“Cheeky.”

 

Merlin winks. “You know it.”

 

Arthur’s phone rings again. Lena, of course. He tells her they just arrived and Merlin will be right up. As Merlin goes to leave the car, Arthur pulls him back by the hand he’s still holding. 

 

“Hey,” Arthur says, tugging him closer so he can press a small kiss to the corner of his mouth, “be safe.”

 

Merlin’s mildly dazed look fades into a shit-eating grin. “Aren’t I always?”

 

Arthur watches him until he reaches the door. 

 

---

 

Merlin rides the elevator up to the Tower, as the door slides open he sees Lena typing on her phone. She looks equally more casual and frazzled all at the same time.

 

“Oh, thank god,” Lena puts her phone down when she sees him. “You need to see this,” she pulls him toward the computer.

 

“Kara is patrolling in search of well…anything,” Lena provides as she starts to explain what they’ve figured out so far.

 

“What am I looking at here?” Merlin asks, gesturing at the computer, confused. He still hasn’t quite gotten the hang of modern technology, something he is teased about fairly regularly. 

 

Lena gestures to a particular area on the screen. “This is the reading we got from some magical energy not that long ago in an area outside the city limits to the south.”

 

It just kind of looks like a squiggle to him, but Merlin nods along anyway. Then Lena pulls up a different scan. 

 

“This,” she says, “is the reading we got when you did magic. Then this is the scan we get for normal fifth dimensional energy.”

 

While there are similarities between all three, which makes sense considering they figured out magic and fifth dimensional energy are versions of the same thing, but they are also very distinct. Even Merlin can see the most recent reading is far more similar to his own magic. 

 

“But what does it mean?” Merlin muses, “Could there be someone else from Camelot who’s awakened? I knew a number of other magic users, but none of them are ones I’d really want hanging around.”

 

“The area it originated from is a bit familiar to me,” says Lena, “I can’t quite remember why. That’s why Kara is scouting the area now. We’ve got her on comms.”

 

“So…” Merlin raises his brow. “Now what?”

 

“Well,” Lena grimaces. “We wait. Unfortunately there’s not much more we can do other than–”

 

There’s a static crackle and Lena straightens, “That must be her.”

 

It takes a moment for the signal to come in clear, “Lena, I followed the pings down to the old Marina.”

 

“The old marina? That place has been closed for years,” Lena frowns. “What on earth could be down there?”

 

Merlin simply shrugs, “I didn’t even know there was a new marina.”

 

Lena glares at the warlock, “You’re not helping.” Then she turns back to the comms unit. “Is there anything at all?”

 

“Not really, old shipping containers, buoys, and abandoned boats hang on–”

 

They lose Kara for a moment, “There’s a yacht here…The Dorian Gray.”

 

“That bastard,” Lena shakes her head.

 

“What?” Merlin asks.

 

“The Dorian Gray is Lex’s old yacht. Supposedly, it ran aground years ago,” Lena explains. 

 

Merlin rubs his temples, suddenly exhausted. “So, we have Lex and we have magic. I think the next question has to be who he’s allied with. Kara,” he slightly raises his voice, feeling like he needs to in order to be heard through the comms, “I know you’re strong and everything, but I don’t like the idea of you confronting a magic user without me.”

 

“Yeah, agreed,” says Kara, “especially with what we know about kryptonite strengthening magic. If Morgause could figure it out, I’m sure someone else could too.”

 

Merlin knows Kara still feels put out by her inability to help with their fight against Morgause all those months ago. The sorceress didn’t even know what kryptonite could do to a Kryptonian, but she definitely used it to her advantage. Lena beat her in the end though, despite Morgause forcing Morgana’s memories into mind and hoping her “sister” would immediately join her side. 

 

“We’ll be there soon,” Lena replies, grabbing a biometric locked container she’s kept hidden away.

“What’s that?” Merlin asks.

 

“Portal watch, probably our best bet to get to the Marina fast enough,” Lena explains as she slips the watch on her wrist.

 

Merlin frowns, “A portal watch?”

“It’s simple. I’ll open a portal, which will take us from point A to point B,” Lena explains as she starts typing something into the watch. “In this case, from the Tower to the marina.”

 

A glowing purple portal appears in the middle of the Tower and Lena looks back over her shoulder, “Are you ready?” 

 

Merlin takes a moment to think about how useful something like a portal watch would have been back in the day before shaking his head to clear the pointless thought and steeling himself. 

 

“Ready.”

 

He steps through the portal just behind Lena and is hit with the sudden change that comes from stepping out of a temperature-controlled building into the great outdoors. The air is more humid than in the city proper and smells strongly of saltwater. Merlin rather likes it. Kara comes in for a landing beside them, her cape fluttering lightly behind her. 

 

“What’s the plan?” Kara asks, “I can’t really see inside. Lex must have protected the hull by lining it with lead.” 

 

“Makes sense,” murmurs Lena, “considering how much he hates your cousin.” 

 

Kara simply nods along, “So, this yacht?”

 

“Lex told me it ran aground on a trip in the bay and it wasn’t worth repairing so he scrapped it,” Lena explains. “I should have known it was never the case, but I had no desire to find out for myself.” The CEO shudders slightly against the night air.

 

“Well, if it’s pinging, that means he’s here…right?” Merlin muses. 

 

“Most likely, unless he already managed to flee,” Lena shrugs.

 

They’re all stalling a little bit, Merlin feels fairly certain of that. He’s not exactly raring for a fight right now, his mind still a little bit stuck on what had been a remarkably normal date night with Arthur up until Lena interrupted them. 

 

“So, let’s find out,” Kara says, “do we…do we just knock or are we more in a breaking and entering sort of mood?”

 

The decision is taken out of their hands when one of the doors on the yacht opens to let two people out onto the deck.

 

“Mercy,” Lena murmurs, “I thought I recognized her in the shadows at the gala, but I wasn’t certain. She must have helped him get back to the city.”

 

Merlin is feeling a little frustrated and a bit fed up. He takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders. “Okay, let’s get this over with.” Then, ignoring any potential protest that might come from Lena or Kara, he strolls out into the open.

 

“Oh, wow,” Merlin intones dryly, “Lex Luthor, fancy meeting you here.”

 

Lex turns toward him, only a brief narrowing of his eyes betraying any surprise he might be feeling. “Well, well, well if it isn’t Merlin. I’ve heard so much about you.”

 

If that doesn’t prove he’s working with someone from Merlin’s past, then the warlock doesn’t know what will. A magic user from his past who doesn’t like him, if the tone of Lex’s voice is anything to go by. Which…doesn’t really narrow things down all that much. The number of magic users who hate him far surpasses those who don’t. It’s depressing, really.

 

“Lex,” the woman, Mercy, according to what Lena said, doesn’t really do anything to keep her voice from being heard.

 

Lex’s gaze moves from Merlin to something behind him. “Yes, Mercy, I see them. Heya sis, long time no see.”

 

Merlin briefly glances back at Lena who stiffened when Lex addressed her. “I haven’t exactly missed you.” 

 

Lex clucks, “What would mother say?”

 

There seems to be no sign of anyone else present, magic user or otherwise. This only serves to confuse Merlin further. 

 

“Need I remind you it was your recklessness that killed her?” Lena shoots back coldly.

 

Merlin thinks it can’t hurt to use the distraction of Lena and Lex arguing to try to find out more. He tunes out their conversation, not particularly interested in the Luthor siblings sniping at each other. He’s sure Lena can hold her own and knows Kara is there to back her up. Merlin’s magic has always been instinctive, but usually needs specific words to direct it. However, he’s been living with it for centuries now so the words have become more irrelevant as time moves on. Not just that, Lena’s technology and knowledge of fifth dimensional energy has really helped him understand his own magic more.

 

Merlin closes his eyes, reaching out with the magical energy inside him. He’s been able to sense other people’s power before, if it’s someone he already met it should be even easier. He knows his eyes must be glowing gold when he opens them, he scans the surrounding area without actually seeing anything. The magic seems to be coming from somewhere on the yacht, somewhere close, somewhere…some one . It’s Lex, Merlin realizes, the magic is coming from Lex himself. 

 

Based on everything Lena said, it can’t be possible. Yet, here is the proof right in front of his face. Somehow, Lena is wrong. Not that she’s completely infallible, he knows that even the CEO will admit she’s not perfect. 

 

How is it that someone who previously never had magic, has it now? He wonders more about the Phantom Zone and if it is somehow the cause of this. So, in the same breath that Merlin gets some answers, he now has even more questions.

 

“Lena, get down!” Kara cries out.

 

The sound of something blasting nearby sends a red light streaking past Merlin, only to hit Kara squarely in the chest. She stands there firmly, completely unfazed by the attempted attack as she glares at Mercy who is holding the blaster.

 

“I’m tired of this nonsense,” Mercy growls. “Lex, let’s just be done with them.”

 

“I keep telling you,” Lex starts before his voice suddenly cuts and his whole body shudders. “I agree.”

 

The voice is still Lex’s, but the tone is different, something about the inflection familiar in a way Merlin can’t quite put his finger on. That’s when Lex’s eyes turn gold and his hand flings out in a familiar motion. Quick as a flash, Merlin summons his own magic, knocking the other magic out of the air with a loud crack. 

 

Lena takes a surprised step backward, her eyes wide as she looks at Lex. “What?”

 

“Surprise,” Lex grins menacingly. 

 

Lena is shaking with this new revelation, completely frozen.

 

“I think we should get out of here,” Merlin says, not liking the odds. 

 

“But–” Lena momentarily glances at Lex.

 

“We got what we need for now,” Merlin insists. “You’re in no state to–”

 

“I’m fine!” Lena insists her face reddening.

 

“Come on, Lena. Don’t you want to play?” Mercy taunts. “Come aboard, join the real fun.”

 

The color quickly drains from Lena’s face, “Fine, fine–” She waves off Merlin. 

 

She activates the portal watch and the three of them step through, their escape backed by the sound of laughter.

Chapter 7

Mercy can tell Lex is much more shaken by Nimueh taking full control of his body on the yacht than he wants to let on. Theoretically, Mercy is assisting Lex, working for him, but if there’s anything to know about Mercy it’s that she takes any opportunity she can get. 

 

Based on their increasingly frequent night-time chats, Nimueh is getting stronger, finding it easier to take control and reveling in making Lex fight against her when he’s awake. So, when Morrie comes to her with information he overheard Lena telling Merlin when she thought they were alone…well, of course she is going to take every advantage she can. Especially if it’s some kind of rune that increases magic. 

 

This is not her first foray into breaking into L-Corp and of course, Lena has seen to it that security was revamped as well as increased ten-fold. However, that doesn’t mean it can stop Mercy from getting inside. She knows how the young woman thinks, she practically molded her into the woman she is today. 

 

It certainly doesn’t hurt that she served as Lex’s head of security for years. Mercy has many tricks up her proverbial sleeves. She’s more than ready to put them all to good use. 

 

Mercy spent hours typing away on a laptop knowing there is a hell of a system override she needed to perform to get inside. A lot of work, but certainly not impossible and now she has the override ready for use. 

 

She’s chosen the perfect day for sneaking into the L-Corp building. According to the calendar, Mercy is able to hack into (they really needed to increase certain aspects of their security system) she knows Lena is in meetings off-site all morning, has a lunch outing with her little pet alien, and has the afternoon off. So, she’ll be away from the office the whole day. All of that coupled with their man on the inside, Intern Morrie, sneaking in should be an absolute piece of cake. 

 

Now to track down the artifact, she’s certain Lena won’t let something like that out of her sight for even a minute which means it’s likely in one of her personal areas. Either her office or her own lab, both of which have even more intense security than the building itself. Lena has always valued her privacy and her struggles with letting people in seem to be reflected in how locked down she keeps everything.

 

Unless she’s doing actual testing on the artifact, Mercy doubts the youngest Luthor is keeping it in the lab. With that in mind, she makes her way toward her office, Lena’s inner sanctum if you will. When she thinks back on this moment, Mercy won’t forgive herself for not realizing what’s wrong before it’s too late. 

 

“Well, hey there,” chirps a familiar cheerful voice, “looks like you’re trespassing.”

 

Mercy manages to get a brief look at Supergirl’s grinning face before a bonk on the back of her head knocks her out. 

 

When she regains consciousness, she’s restrained, tight enough that she can’t easily get out, but not so tight as to cut off her circulation. Before her stands Lena and Supergirl, plus the boy Merlin. At least that’s what Nimueh calls him, “the boy” even though he has to be in his mid-twenties or early thirties at least. Nimueh hasn’t seen fit to reveal who he is, so all she knows is the sorceress hates him and he has magic. 

 

“Congrats,” Mercy broods. “You caught me red handed.”

 

Lena scoffs, “You’re not the only one who can lay a trap, Mercy.”

 

Mercy tries to react, but her bindings make it difficult for her to do much, “I taught you well. So the artifact?”

 

“A lure and a damn good one.” Lena admits. 

 

Mercy swears under her breath. It feels ridiculous that she fell for something so foolish. Though she’s equally impressed with what Lena has done.

 

“What does Lex want,” Lena interrupts her thoughts, “and why does he want magical artifacts?” 

 

“Why should I tell you?” Mercy raises her brow.

 

“A few things come to mind,” Lena paces in front of the older woman. “Breaking and entering for one, trespassing for another.” 

 

Mercy just scoffs. “Do you really think threatening me is going to make me tell you anything? If I’m going to be punished anyway, I’ll keep my secrets.”

 

“What could you possibly have to gain from protecting him?” Lena asks, sounding legitimately  curious, “He’s not exactly in charge of anything at the moment. Except for you, that is, like a little lapdog doing his bidding.”

 

“As if you can say anything about lapdogs ,” Mercy prods with a smirk, cutting her gaze to the Kryptonian standing there with her arms crossed like some kind of body guard.

 

“I can’t expect you to understand what a real relationship is like,” Lena scoffs. “For you, everything has always been transactional.”

 

“Yeah and I like to keep it that way,” Mercy retorts.

 

“Come on, Mercy, if it’s so transactional…what can you possibly gain this time around?” Lena raises her brow. “What does Lex have that you want so badly?”

 

The truth of the matter is, Lex isn’t actually holding anything over her. Yes, Mercy knows she’s an opportunist and she’s never denied that. The fact she’s willing to wait and see where the chips fall before deciding if her loyalty will lie with Lex or Nimueh is proof enough of that. She keeps her mouth shut, merely smiling internally when she sees the frustrated twitch in the corner of Lena’s mouth. There’s something so satisfying about seeing the younger woman lose control a bit. 

 

“Enough, this isn’t getting us anywhere.” It’s Merlin who speaks. Mercy hadn’t really heard him much that night on the yacht so she’s mildly surprised to note he sounds Welsh. She wonders if it has some connection to Lex exiting the Phantom Zone in Wales, “Allow me.”

 

Mercy levels him with a look. “Do you seriously think I would tell you…”

 

“Yes,” interrupts Merlin, stepping closer. The next words he says are in a language she doesn’t understand. Then his eyes glow gold and a feeling like lightning travels up her spine, vibrates in her skull, and wraps around her tongue. It suddenly feels very heavy in her mouth like it doesn’t quite belong to her. 

 

“Let’s try this again,” says Merlin mildly, looking her directly in the eye, “How does Lex Luthor have magic?”

 

Mercy struggles against the strange feeling flooding her body, she doesn’t want to say anything, but she’s being compelled.

 

“N-Nimueh,” Mercy seethes.

 

At least she can revel in the fact he steps back, a startled look in his blue eyes. 

 

“Nimueh? But how?”

 

Even though he’s talking more to himself than anyone else, whatever spell he’s cast on Mercy seems to be forcing her to answer anything he says when it’s phrased as a question. Even so, she does her best to say as few words as possible through gritted teeth. 

 

“Phantom Zone,” she says, each word feeling like it’s being pulled out of her throat, “In his…head.”

 

“Well, that can’t be good,” Merlin mutters. 

 

“Who’s Nimueh?” Lena asks, crossing her arms over her chest. 

 

If Mercy needs proof the truth-spell-thing is specifically attached to Merlin, she gets it when she feels absolutely no compulsion to answer Lena’s question. At least there’s that.

 

“She was also a high priestess of the Old Religion, but I don’t think she and Morgause ever had any interaction,” says Merlin, “She was the first high priestess I ever encountered. She had a grudge against Uther, like all magic users back then, and she wanted to get back at him by killing Arthur. I’ll be honest, it’s been a long time so I don’t remember all of the details. I tried to trade my life for his, but she wanted to take Gaius or my mother instead. I called down lightning to strike her down dead.”

 

The blasé way in which Merlin talks about controlling lightning is mildly concerning. Sure, Mercy has known many powerful people, but that is a different kind of power.

 

“She was the first person I ever killed,” Merlin remembers, “I was…fourteen, I think. She might try to go after Arthur again, we need to make sure he stays safe.”

 

“Don’t you think she may have a reason to go after you ?” Supergirl asks.

 

Merlin shrugs, “And?”

 

Supergirl seems to consider this for a moment, then silently nods her head and takes a step back. 

 

Mercy frowns, “Are you happy now?”

 

“Oh, don’t think we’re done with you just yet,” Lena laughs. “You can’t possibly think we’re just going to let you walk out of here. Do you?” She then glances at Merlin, “Go on.”

 

Mercy can practically see Merlin paging through what must be an extensive list of questions in his head. It’s news to her that he was the one to kill Nimueh, however it does make sense as to why the sorceress is so scared of him. She tries to hide it, but Mercy can tell. 

 

“So, what’s the plan, Mercy?” He finally asks. 

 

It’s a vague enough question that Mercy feels less of a compulsion to answer something in particular, although she still feels the need to answer it. 

 

“Infiltrate L-Corp,” she says, the tingling pressure on her tongue loosening with each word, “take control.”

 

“How?” Merlin prods, “The infiltration.”

 

“A man on the inside.”

 

Again, Mercy watches as Lena looks surprised, but maybe not as surprised as she hoped.

 

“Well, who is the mole?” Lena looks at Merlin. 

 

Merlin nods, “Who is doing your bidding?”

 

Mercy tries to fight this spell once more, but she can’t. Clearly, magic trumps sheer willpower, a fact she’s unwilling to accept.

 

“M-Maurice Forrestt,” Mercy admits. Now she’s able to relish the shock and hurt on Lena’s face.

 

“One of my interns?” Lena blinks. “I don’t understand.”

 

“Wait,” Merlin says, his focus shifts to Lena. Mercy can feel the tight shackles of the spell loosen slightly. Not enough that she thinks it’s worn off, but enough not to feel suffocated by it. “Isn’t that the one who looks like…”

 

Lena nods. “Yes. Would there be any reason for Nimueh to know?”

 

“No,” Merlin replies, shaking his head slightly, “they never interacted. They wouldn’t have, she wasn’t a Druid.”

 

Mercy has no idea what they’re talking about, of course, but it certainly sounds like their seemingly random choice of Morrie was the correct one. 

 

“So, it’s a coincidence?” Supergirl offers. 

 

Merlin heaves a sigh and shakes his head grimly. “I don’t believe in coincidences when magic is involved, Kara.”

 

She has been passively listening to their conversation up until now, but Mercy is suddenly extremely interested. Kara? As in Kara Danvers ? The reporter Lillian and Lex  always complained about? Now that the thought was in her head, Mercy examines the Kryptonian closer. There are differences, for sure, but the more she looks the more the differences seem surface level.

 

Much like Lena’s closeness with Supergirl, she’s also close to the reporter. Mercy grits her teeth, how has she never realized it before? 

 

“I’m going to have to agree with Merlin on this,” Lena sighs. “I can’t believe I let it happen.”

 

“You couldn’t have known,” Kara soothes, “It isn’t your fault.”

 

Mercy groans, rolling her eyes, “If we’ve reached the boo-hoo woe-is-me part of the afternoon, can I just go?”

 

“No,” Merlin snaps, cutting her a glance, his eyes glowing gold once again as he says, “Shush.”

 

Mercy voice sticks in her throat, no matter how much she tries, she can’t get any sound to come out. 

 

“There’s no use in dwelling on what’s already happened,” Merlin continues, completely turning his back on Mercy, it’s a move of dismissal that serves to make her even angrier, “I’ve done enough of that for both of us, believe me. The thing we need to decide is how to move forward.”

 

“I definitely have some ideas,” Lena mutters. Her heels clack as she strides over, stopping right in front of Mercy. She’s so close she has to crane her neck up to look Lena in the eye. “Do you really think I’m just going to let you walk away from here without consequences?”

 

Mercy realizes she is still unable to respond and tries to non-verbally make her frustration known.

 

“Merlin, I do need to talk with her,” Lena gives the warlock a look. 

 

Merlin rolls his eyes, with a flick of his hand Mercy can feel her power of speech returning. 

 

“You always were the soft one,” Mercy scoffs. “Pliant, naive.”

 

Lena shakes her head, “I’m not a scared, lonely little girl anymore, Mercy.” 

 

Mercy chuckles darkly, she has a hard time believing this statement even as Lena stands before her.

 

“Let’s make a deal,” Lena proposes. “I know how much you love a good deal and I think we both know I’m in a better position to offer you your desires than Lex is.” 

 

Mercy raises an eyebrow, intrigued in spite of herself. Perhaps she can use this to her advantage, sneak something into the deal under the radar that will give her more power. She may be open to the idea of turning against Lex, but part of her hopes Lena has learned enough not to think it means Mercy is on her side. Mercy will always be on the side of one person and one person alone: herself. 

 

“I can’t wait to hear what you believe my desires to be,” drawls Mercy, “but go ahead, make your case. I suppose I don’t have anything to lose.”

 

“Oh, I think it’s simple really,” Lena’s tone is cool. “We won’t let you walk away from here scot-free, but we might be able to provide some leniency.”

 

Mercy blinks, “What kind of bullshit deal is this?”

 

“A deal where you might not wind up in prison for many years,” Lena suggests. “Come on, you don’t think Lex and Nimueh won’t dispose of you as soon as it’s convenient? Your clock is ticking, Mercy, you know that. Lex has no problems turning on anyone . Even our mother.”

 

This is something Mercy is aware of. Maybe she has grown soft over the years, too. Some part of her wishfully thinking she might somehow be different to him in the grand scheme of things.

 

Mercy heaves a sigh, as if she has a choice or is making a huge concession by even entertaining the thought. The truth of the matter is, she can tell when she’s backed into a corner. 

 

“I’m listening.”

 

Several hours later, she’s still seething about getting caught even as she makes her way back to the safe house. It’s honestly a little embarrassing, she’s not planning on mentioning any of it to Nimueh. At least Lex didn’t know what she was planning, he certainly would have asked for an update and then done his whole ‘I’m Lex and I’m the best’ thing. 

 

She kicks a nearby table which does very little to soothe her annoyance. What a lovely mess she’s found herself in. Fuck.

 

She has to begrudgingly give Lena credit,  for someone who is not good enough to be a Luthor, she might have surpassed even their schemes. Mercy is stuck between a rock and hard place, neither of which are actually beneficial for her. 

 

Lex has holed himself up somewhere in the house to scheme with the parasite in his brain or whatever it is he does in his time alone. That leaves Mercy free to let her rage taint her movements without having to worry about being questioned. She lets herself close the cabinet door a bit harder than normal as she pulls out the capsules for the stupid Nespresso coffee machine and revels in the sturdy clunk of the thick-bottomed mug as she drops it heavily onto the countertop. Usually, she would make a real coffee, but she doesn’t have the energy. 

 

“That stuff really isn’t good.”

 

Mercy whips her head around to look at Morrie, who appears suddenly in the entry to the kitchen. 

 

“I could make you something better,” he continues, “I learned a lot at the shop where I work.”

 

He either hasn’t clocked that fact she’s not feeling up to any nonsense or he has and is braver than Mercy thought. She imagines it’s more likely the former. 

 

“Fine,” Mercy huffs. “Be my fucking guest.” She steps back to let Morrie take over while she continues to seethe.

 

Morrie takes over the coffee without a second thought while Mercy tries to find anything she can to busy herself with.

 

“Fucking Lex and that stupid witch,” Mercy mutters. “Without them I wouldn’t be in this mess! Stupid magical, bullshit.” 

 

The woman continues to rage not even noticing that Morrie seems to have clued in on what she’s saying.

 

“What sort of nonsense is this Old Religion shit anyway? Why do I even fucking care?” Mercy continues, now wishing she hadn’t done the smart thing of giving up smoking a few years back. 

 

She only notices that Morrie has completely frozen when she looks up to see what’s happening with her coffee. He’s standing still; he almost looks like a statue, eyes wide and unseeing. 

 

“Hey,” Mercy calls.

 

Morrie’s gaze snaps to her, although he still looks shaken and a bit confused. “I have to go.”

 

He doesn’t even wait for her to respond, simply turns on his heel and walks out the door. Mercy looks at the mild mess he’s left on the counter. 

 

“He didn’t even finish my coffee,” she grumbles.

 

---

 

It was cute at first, this whole slow and steady planning thing Lex has going on, but it’s starting to get tedious now. There’s only so much time Nimueh can spend listening to Lex make his plans, watch him tool around on various pieces of equipment she doesn’t understand, and wait to hear from their mole on the inside. In short, Nimueh is agonizingly bored. 

 

The trouble is, she’s at a loss for what to do, her power still feels weaker than it should in some ways. However, when she does seize power it’s glorious. She’s been, if not happy, then at least content with all of the time being while Lex is sleeping. Since the moment on the boat when she was able to take full control while Lex was still conscious, however, she hasn’t stopped thinking about it. She can’t help but wonder what exactly allowed her to take over and if there is any way to replicate it. She hasn’t been able to gain control for long. In fact was barely able to hold onto it any longer than a few moments as Lex was able to wrest his own body away from her in a moment of distraction. She wants to try, but she also knows she’ll have a limited number of chances to do so before Lex figures out how to shut it down. She wishes her consciousness was reborn into someone a little less intelligent. 

 

This would be much easier if that were the case, but alas she’s stuck biding her time and doing her own plotting. Unfortunately, it’s growing to be too much knowing Merlin is simply out in the world while she isn’t. After the millionth time Nimueh has to sit through Lex’s muttering about Lady Morgana…Lena…whoever she is, Nimueh has simply had it.

 

“Enough!” Nimueh shouts, taking control of their voice in the way she has easily been doing for weeks now, “I get it, you hate your sister. Sing a different tune once in a while, why don’t you.”

 

“She’s taken everything from me,” Lex seethes. “Her and those wretched aliens. They. Will. Pay.”

 

“So, make them pay,” says Nimueh insistently, “all you’re doing is planning with no action. You’ll never get anywhere if you don’t do something.”

 

“The timing has to be perfect,” insists Lex. 

 

Nimueh barely manages to hold in a scream of frustration. “If you wait for perfection, you’ll be waiting forever.”

 

Lex huffs, “I have achieved a great number of things with my plans, what have you got to show for your ideas? Barely a footnote in the annals of history! A legend at best, forgotten at most.” 

 

The most annoying part is that he’s right. He humored her desire to understand what had happened since her death. Her name appears nowhere while Merlin and Arthur are stamped across history and pop culture alike. 

 

“Silence!” 

 

The lightbulb in the desk lamp explodes into pieces at Nimueh’s exclamation and she finds herself on her feet, hands clenched into fists by her sides. She feels Lex’s consciousness in the corner of her mind and wonders if this is how he has been feeling this whole time. 

 

What? His voice is in her head, not even close to exiting their shared mouth. 

 

A laugh bursts out of Nimueh as she continues to push Lex down and back. She’s in control now as a devious smile spreads across their shared face. 

 

“Let’s have some fun.”

Chapter 8

Arthur is exhausted. He’s been stuck on this one particular case for weeks now with little to no progress. By the time 5:00 p.m. rolls around, he feels like the computer screen is imprinted on the backs of his eyelids. What he really needs right now is a glass of wine, a phone call with Merlin (who amusingly still refuses to text, like some sort of old man), and his bed. He says goodbye to his partner, Leon and begins the trek home. 

 

He’s been thinking a lot lately about whether they should tell Leon about his previous life. It seems like too much of a coincidence that Arthur was childhood best friends with his First Knight. Especially since for all intents and purposes their families didn’t have the same social circles at all so it was sheer luck they met in the first place. 

 

Then of course there’s Percival or rather Percy as he’s known now. He’s a police officer who Arthur has actually known since he came to National City when they first met at the gym they both use on a daily basis. Too many coincidences for comfort. 

 

In general, the response has been mixed whenever Arthur brings it up. He understands why Lena has reservations about it, considering her Morgana memories were forced upon her by Morgause. While Arthur’s memories were returned to him by Merlin without asking him first, Merlin’s methods were as gentle as he could be given how much he loves him. 

 

Merlin did the same thing with Gaius, who they later discovered taught Kara’s sister Alex when she went to medical school. Arthur and Gaius discussed it before, their feelings on what Merlin did. Arthur has complicated feelings about it, but ultimately he is glad he has his memories of Camelot back.

 

Morgause, on the other hand, did things in a way that was harsh and almost cruel. Arthur thinks this is what makes Lena biased against the whole idea of having memories returned. He also knows she has other baggage involved in regards to making a name for herself outside of the history associated with her surname. Arthur certainly understands that, in both versions of his life. 

 

His mind continues to spin as he makes his way through National City. It’s too much to simply ask for a normal life, isn’t it? 

 

Before pushing the door open and walking through the lobby to the elevator, Arthur lets out a contented sigh as he finally stands outside his apartment building. However, once he steps into the elevator something feels off. He’s not sure why, nothing looks different. Everything seems fine, even as he walks down the hallway to his apartment everything seems…normal. He can’t help but slow his steps as he reaches his door. 

 

Something about the air of normalcy feels wrong . He can’t put his finger on exactly why, but Arthur feels like a cold shiver runs down his spine. The door is still locked, there is no sign of a break-in, but his investigative senses are tingling. He slowly unlocks the front door and pushes it open. The end of day silence he finds there that usually gives him a sense of peace suddenly gives a sense of dread. 

 

As he steps inside, he pulls out his phone and dials Merlin. It rings and rings and rings, with no answer. Arthur sees movement out of the corner of his eye before he whips around to face it. His hands fall to his side with the phone line still open. 

Arthur feels the hair on the back of his neck prickle as his eyes dart around the darkened room. Someone or something is here, he just knows it.

 

“How nice it is to see you again, face to face.”

 

Arthur stiffens, it’s the voice he now recognizes as Lena’s brother, Lex. However, something tells him it’s not really Lex speaking to him, but something or someone inside him.

 

“What do you want?” Arthur turns slowly.

 

“Oh my dear, foolish Prince,” Nimueh coos condescendingly, “I think you know.”

 

Arthur doesn’t actually remember Nimueh from Camelot. From what Merlin has said, she pretended to be a servant so they probably never really crossed paths. Everything he knows is from Merlin, how the warlock manages to remember some details so clearly while others fade into the background is fascinating. Although Arthur supposes it must depend on how important the event was. Of course Merlin would remember Nimueh, it was her poisoned chalice that led to him risking his life for Arthur the first time of many not that long after they met. The fact Nimueh is the first stepping stone in a line of people and events that led to Merlin believing his life is worth less than others is enough cause for Arthur to dislike her. 

 

“Merlin,” Arthur sighs. “You want revenge? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

 

Nimueh laughs, but it sounds off coming from Lex’s mouth, “I’ve waited a long time for this, no one is going to stop me this time.”

 

“I wouldn’t be so certain,” Arthur purses his lips. 

 

Nimueh laughs, it’s a bit on the manic side and gives him chills. Arthur wonders if she was always like this or if being with Lex in the Phantom Zone did something to her mind. 

 

“You have no precious Merlin here to drink poison for you,” Nimueh taunts, “or beg to take your place. I don’t see a sword hiding anywhere either, you are helpless .”

 

Arthur reckons he can take Nimueh in a fight, even if she is in Lex’s body. Later, he’ll kick himself for completely forgetting about magic.  

 

He clenches his hands into fists, “Well, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. You really shouldn’t underestimate an FBI agent.”

 

Lex continues to look unamused, but Arthur decides he needs to take his chance instead of simply waiting for the worst to happen. Hoping for the element of surprise, he leaps forward and crashes into Lex. Nimueh, obviously not expecting it, gives a shriek as they both go tumbling to the floor. 

 

Arthur gets in a good kick to the stomach before rolling them over and straddling Lex’s knees to keep his legs together while pinning him down with a hand on his chest. Nimueh struggles beneath him, but Arthur is physically stronger and much more at home in his body than she is in Lex’s. She can’t get out of his hold, although he does catch an elbow to his side which sends a flash of pain through him. He moves to pin flailing arms down by the wrists on either side of Lex’s body. 

 

Nimueh gives one more weak pull to release his hold on her then stills. However, rather than conceding, she looks up at him with a defiant glimmer in her eye. No, wait, it isn’t a glimmer it’s…Lex’s eyes flash gold. The place in his side that is sore from taking an elbow turns suddenly into a hot, roiling pain through his abdomen. Arthur lets out a gasp, the breath knocked out of him, his grip loosening in an uncontrollable reflex. Nimueh is cruelly smirking up at him and with barely any effort now, she is able to push him off and to the ground. Arthur looks down at his side and…hmm, that’s a lot of blood.

 

“Oh.” It comes out like half a croak and half a sigh as Arthur lets his head thunk down onto the parquet floor of his living room. 

 

He spots his phone nearby under the coffee table and struggles to lift his arm to reach for it. He doesn’t succeed, Lex’s foot comes down on his forearm, not to break it, but with just enough pressure to hold it still. As his vision closes in on him, Arthur’s last thought is of Merlin before the world around him goes black.

 

---

 

Merlin finds himself pacing, doing the exact opposite of what he and Lena are actually supposed to be doing in their training session. 

 

“I know this is going to sound crazy,” Lena sighs as she sits down on the couch nearby. “Have you ever considered trying compartmentalizing?”

 

Merlin stiffens for a moment, “Compartmentalizing?”

 

Lena nods, “How else do you think I’ve maintained some level of sanity.” Her tone is thoroughly deadpan. 

 

Brainy walks through fiddling with a device in his hands, “Compartmentalization is a psychological defense mechanism in which thoughts and feelings that seem to conflict are kept separated or isolated from each other in the mind.” The Coluan provides without even needing to be asked. “Perhaps visualizing them in tiny boxes, if you will.”

 

Merlin watches the way Lena nods at Brainy, clearly this is not the first time the two of them have talked about this.

 

“Exactly,” Lena confirms. “It’s not perfect, but…it helps.” 

 

Merlin heaves a sigh and tries to release some of the tension in his spine, his shoulders hunching as he walks over to Lena. He drops down next to her on the couch, throwing his head back against it, but failing to stop his knee from bouncing. 

 

“I feel like that goes against my nature, to push things aside like that,” Merlin admits. 

 

“It’s not forever,” assures Lena, “just a temporary measure to take away some of the pressure.”

 

At that, Merlin smiles ruefully, “Right.”

 

Lena leans closer to place a hand on his shoulder. The two of them aren’t particularly tactile with each other so Merlin forces himself to relax into the touch. 

 

“Look, I understand where the stress is coming from,” says Lena, “It’s because you feel like we should be doing something.”

 

“Sitting around has never been my strong suit,” Merlin admits with an exhaled huff of amusement, “I know Mercy told us Lex doesn’t have anything specific planned in the next while, but I wonder how true that really is, you know?”

 

“Fair,” Lena cocks her head to the side. “But…I did sort of make her an offer she couldn’t refuse–”

 

Brainy walks over, “That’s a reference to the 1969 novel The Godfather by Mario Puzo, which was adapted into a film by Francis Ford Coppola in 1972 starring Marlon Brando–”

 

“Thanks, Brainy,” Lena laughs a little, “I think we get the picture. The point being, I know how Mercy works, I’ve definitely fallen for her tricks in the past, but I think this is the first time I really and truly have the upper hand over her and she knows it.”

 

Merlin anxiously taps his feet on the ground before he hops to his feet and starts pacing around. Again.

 

“Maybe my practice today should be a spell to keep you still,” Lena muses.

 

“I know one that turns anything into stone, but I would ask you not to use it,” Merlin says dryly, “I don’t think I’d make a very good statue.”

 

Lena snorts. “You’re definitely not what I would consider high art.”

 

“And yet, I’ve been made into art time and time again,” counters Merlin. 

 

“Does it really count if none of them actually look like you?” 

 

It may be a stupid conversation, but at least it brings Merlin out of his constant worrying for a short while to enjoy their snarking. 

 

Lena pauses for a moment and looks at her phone and frowns. “What the…” The CEO slowly rises to her feet.

 

“What’s wrong?” Merlin asks.

 

“I’m not sure how I could forget this, but apparently my meeting with Michael Holt has been moved up,” Lena furrows her brow. “I’m so sorry, I need to go back to L-Corp now otherwise I’ll be late.”

 

“Ah,” Merlin says, “Well, I don’t think we were getting much done anyway.”

 

Lena chuckles. “Okay, that’s fair. Not every day can be a productive one.”

 

Merlin distractedly pats his pockets as he just hums in agreement, a frown on his face. 

 

“If you need to get somewhere that’s on my way, I can drop you off,” offers Lena. 

 

“Actually, I’m going to come with you to L-Corp,” Merlin replies. 

 

“Any particular reason why?”

 

Merlin gives her a sheepish grin, “I left my phone in your office before we came here.”

 

“On the one hand, it’s refreshing to see someone who isn’t tied to their phone,” says Lena, “but on the other hand, how can you have lived through the slow progress of technology over time and yet be some far removed from it?”

 

“It’s a gift,” Merlin shrugs.

 

The pair then start making their way back to L-Corp. “Maybe I’ll just send you and Gwen out for coffee during the meeting,” Lena muses. “I don’t think Michael would mind you hanging around, but it’s hardly interesting. He has some new technology his company, Holt Industries, has been working on, but wants me to–Merlin, are you even listening?”

 

Merlin snaps back to reality, “Sorry.”

 

“It’s fine,” Lena laughs. “Point being, it’s what you like to call typical CEO stuff.” 

 

“Sounds fascinating,” Merlin says, with full seriousness. “You know, I always quite enjoyed sitting in when Arthur did his princely duties. Sure, I wouldn’t want to be making decisions for an entire kingdom, but I can still appreciate the time and energy that goes into it.”

 

“Admit it,” snorts Lena, “you were more interested in seeing Arthur take charge.”

 

“Weeeell…” A different kind of distracted expression comes over Merlin’s features. 

 

Lena makes a face. “Gross. That’s my brother.”

 

“You brought it up!” Merlin points out.

 

“And, I’m sorry I did,” Lena says primly as they enter the L-Corp building shoulder-to-shoulder. 

 

Even though Merlin isn’t an employee, he spends enough time around the place that Lena asked security to make him an access badge. It’s easier than having to approve his entry every time. 

 

Lena’s heels click against the marble floor as they make their way to the elevator. There’s a lot of people who politely acknowledge Lena as she goes past.

 

“Good afternoon, Miss Luthor.”

 

Merlin smiles, things like this remind him that even after several hundred years, some things don’t really change. It’s not all that different from when members of the court called her Lady Morgana. Even the large bronze L-Corp statue in the lobby reminds him of the Pendragon coat of arms emblazoned on a tapestry.

 

The feeling of Camelot is certainly helped by the soft smile awaiting them just outside Lena’s office. 

 

“Good afternoon, Ms. Luthor, Mr. Emrys,” Gwen greets. 

 

Merlin makes a face at the title and sees the corners of Gwen’s mouth twitch like she’s holding back a smile at his annoyance. He resists the urge to stick his tongue out at her because he’s an adult, thank you very much.

“Mr. Holt is running a few minutes late,” continues Gwen, “but you can expect his video call to come in about ten minutes.”

 

“Great, thanks Gwen,” replies Lena, “Sorry for cutting things a bit close, I didn’t notice the time change.”

 

“Luckily, Mr. Holt is always running late,” Gwen responds with some amusement.

 

Merlin follows Lena into her office, swiping his hand across Gwen’s desk as they pass to knock her little pen-holder askew. She makes a small noise of protest under her breath that makes Merlin grins to himself. Lena crosses over to settle by her desk while Merlin sets about looking for his phone. Eventually, he finds it wedged between the cushions of the cushy chair in the corner of the room. When he digs it out, the screen is dark and stays dark. The battery is dead. Merlin sighs.  

 

Lena flicks her hair over her shoulder and opens her laptop to ready herself for her meeting while Merlin stares at this phone in frustration.

 

“This wouldn’t be an issue in Camelot,” Merlin grumbles.

 

“Well, the life expectancy back then was less than fifty so safe to say, you win some you lose some,” Lena shrugs as her phone dings with a call. “Check with Gwen, she keeps a lost and found of sorts by her desk. Maybe someone else left something that will work on the dinosaur you call a cellphone.” 

 

“It works fine and doesn’t break when I drop it,” Merlin shoots back, “so I think I have a leg up on that piece of glass you call a cellphone.”

 

He’s saved from having to hear Lena’s response by the incoming video call. Merlin slips out of the office to Gwen’s desk as suggested. 

 

“Charger?” Merlin asks, holding up the phone and shaking it slightly. 

 

Gwen roots around in one of the desk drawers for a moment and pulls one out. “You really should just carry it around with you.”

 

“Why?” Merlin questions with a shrug, “the battery lasts a super long time, I don’t have to charge it every two seconds. Which, I would say, is another point for the so-called dinosaur.”

 

Gwen shakes her head and snorts, “Need I remind you that Lena runs a billion dollar tech company, she’s all about moving forward and progress–”

 

“Progress is well and good, but that still doesn’t mean I want to have a so-called smartphone,” Merlin mutters. The phone in his hand starts to glow, but it does little more than show a flashing symbol of a charging battery. 

 

Gwen giggles, “Okay, old man.”

 

---

 

“Thanks for your time, Ms. Luthor, I’m sure we’ll talk again.” Michael Holt gives her one final nod before the video call disconnects. 

 

Lena allows her upright posture to slump as she leans back against her chair. It really was a productive meeting and she’s looking forward to what they can accomplish together, but she’s also pretty tired and ready to go home. Merlin never came back into her office and when she exits, she finds him perched on the edge of Gwen’s desk as the two of them chat. 

 

“Are you having fun?” Lena asks as she folds her arms across her chest.

 

Gwen turns to look at Lena, “How did the meeting go?”

 

“Good,” Lena nods, “Michael has a lot of incredible prototypes he’s trying to put to use, but looks like he may want some L-Corp tech to really round it out. We’re planning on having him come in from Metropolis to work out more of the kinks in a few weeks.” 

 

“I’ll reach out to schedule it,” Gwen says, making a note on her personal to-do list. 

 

“Thanks, Gwen, I–“

 

“Ms. Luthor!”

 

Lena sees Merlin’s back stiffen before his face falls into a carefully neutral expression. She certainly understands the instinct, considering who is approaching them practically at a run. 

 

“Morrie,” Lena greets, “it’s late, what are you still doing here?”

 

Lena had accepted Morrie into the L-Corp internship program nearly a year before she met Merlin. So, it was a bit of a shock the first time she went in to speak to the interns after she got her Morgana memories back and suddenly realized it was Mordred staring back at her. At least for her, Mordred was once a friend and an ally. The last time Merlin saw Mordred, he was killing Arthur. 

 

“I-I don’t know,” Morrie whimpers, “I heard…Mercy said…and then I just…I felt like I had to be here, had to find you. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

 

Lena puts up a placating hand, “Breathe, Morrie, what did Mercy say?”

 

“I’m sorry,” repeats Morrie miserably. 

 

Lena resists the urge to let out an annoyed sigh. Is she frustrated about somebody who works for her spilling secrets to her brother? Of course, but she also knows how much of a manipulator he is and how easy it can be to fall for honeyed words. Plus, there has to be a reason why Mordred, even if Morrie doesn’t know that’s who he is, has also been reincarnated so close to the rest of them. 

 

“Is Lex’s plan progressing?” Lena prompts, “Is that what Mercy told you?”

 

It seems to shock Morrie out of his spiral and he looks at Lena with wide eyes. 

 

“You knew?” Morrie asks in a whisper, wringing his hands. 

 

Merlin’s phone beeps and from the corner of her eye she sees him go to check it, but she pays him no mind. 

 

“For some time now,” Lena tells Morrie, “we have Mercy keep us informed, so if she said something to you about Lex’s plans…”

 

Morrie shakes his head. “It wasn’t anything like that, Lady Morgana. She mentioned something a-about a witch, about the Old Religion and it made me feel like I needed to be by your side, but I don’t know why .”

 

Lena looks at the confused young man in front of her, who hasn’t noticed that he called her Lady Morgana. She feels something cold settle in her chest. If Morrie is remembering Camelot, then it’s a whole other thing they need to worry about on top of everything else.

 

“Have you been having any strange thoughts?” Lena asks, “Things that you don’t recognize, but that seem like memories?”

 

Morrie shakes his head. “W-What? No, no. Mercy said those things and I felt I needed to be here.”

 

Any further conversation is interrupted by Merlin. 

 

“Arthur?” He has his phone pressed to his ear, “Arthur!”

 

Lena’s focus immediately shifts. Merlin is holding the phone so tightly against his ear it looks painful, his hand trembling. She whips back to Morrie. 

 

“Did Mercy say anything about Nimueh?” she asks.

 

“I’ve heard Mr. Luthor talking about it before,” replies Morrie, “but I don’t know what it is.”

 

“I can hear his voice, he’s talking, but he won’t answer me,” Merlin bursts out in frustration. 

 

Leaving Morrie for now, Lena goes over to Merlin and peels his clenched finger from around the phone so she can look at the tiny screen. 

 

“It’s a voicemail,” she explains to the warlock, “it’s not live, it’s recorded.”

 

If anything, this makes Merlin pale even further. “How long? How long ago was that recorded?”

 

“I’m sure Arthur will forgive you for missing…his…”

 

She trails off as the voicemail plays again. The sound of Arthur closing his front door behind him, his voice, then another one that Lena would recognize anywhere, the sounds of a struggle, and then finally, a gasp, a thump, and a laugh before the message cuts out. 

 

“Merlin.”

 

He looks at her, but doesn’t appear to really be seeing her. His irises are like molten gold and his body is trembling. 

 

“This was only a couple minutes ago, he could still be ali—fine. He could still be fine.”

 

Merlin is gone before she completes her sentence, the aura of his anger and despair still lingering in the air. 

 

“Shit,” Lena grumbles, “Okay. Gwen, I need you to take care of Morrie. I’m going to handle that.”

 

Without waiting for a response, Lena rushes after Merlin, already messaging Kara to come and pick them up. She catches Merlin before he’s about to go down the elevator just as Kara comes out of superspeed and practically screeches to a stop by their sides. Merlin seems incapable of speaking, so Lena does it for him. 

 

“Take us to Arthur’s,” she tells Kara, “as fast as is safe for us.”

 

To her credit, Kara asks no further questions, simply scoops them both up unceremoniously and takes to the sky. 

 

Arthur’s apartment doesn’t have any windows big enough for a person to go through, let alone three people, so they're forced to go through the lobby and up the elevator. Merlin doesn’t even try to use the key Lena knows he has. The door to Arthur’s place simply bursts open with magic the moment they reach it. 

 

The former king is on the floor of his living room in a crumpled heap surrounded by a concerningly large pool of blood. Lex and Nimueh are nowhere to be seen. 

 

“Okay,” Lena says, taking a deep breath so her voice doesn’t shake, “He needs medical attention, but there may be magic involved. Kara, can you get Alex and Gaius here?”

 

“Definitely,” Kara grimly confirms before she’s gone. 

 

Lena sees Merlin heavily drop to his knees by Arthur’s side, his hands trembling as they hover over him. Lena can see Arthur is still breathing, shallow but there. The warlock is mumbling to himself, a nonstop stream of words, mostly in the language of the Old Religion, but punctuated with tiny pleas. 

 

“Merlin,” Lena starts tentatively. 

 

“I never could get the hang of healing magic,” Merlin says miserably, “Why didn’t I ever try harder?”

 

“Help is on the way,” Lena tells him, “I’ve sent for Gaius.”

 

“Gaius,” repeats Merlin, “good, that’s good. Gaius can…he can fix it.”

 

Merlin presses a kiss to Arthur’s forehead and then abruptly stands.

 

“I’m going to kill her,” he says with finality

 

“You can’t,” Lena tells him. 

 

When he turns on her, the look in Merlin’s eye sends a chill down Lena’s spine. At that moment, she begins to understand why in her previous life she was so afraid of Emrys. 

 

“Why not?” Merlin’s voice is cold. 

 

Lena carefully puts her hand on Arthur’s wrist, trying to find a pulse. “It’s just…I’ve been where you are. The amount of times I’ve wanted Lex dead.”

 

Lena pauses as her voice catches in her throat, “The time he hurt me, hurt Kara…our friends. All for his own gain. The thought has certainly crossed my mind in my worst moments. It’s different thinking he’s dead, but it was never directly at my hand. I can’t do that.”

 

Merlin is still looking at Arthur as he next speaks. “That’s something I really admire about you, Lena. You’ve been through so much and yet you’re still so naive. It shows how young you truly are. I think that’s one of the biggest differences between you and me.”

 

He looks at Lena then, his expression devoid of all warmth of emotion. “I am so old, Lena, and I already have so many deaths on my hands. What’s one more?”

 

“Merlin, please wait. Don’t do this,” she pleads.

 

Merlin pulls something small and round out of his pocket. “Sorry.”

 

He says a few words and drops the item onto the floor. With a flash of light and smoke, he’s gone just as the front door bursts open to let Kara, Alex, and Gaius through. 

 

“Fuck,” Lena hisses as she looks at where Merlin once stood. 

 

“Lena, what’s wrong?” Kara strides up to her.

 

“Merlin is going to kill Lex,” Lena’s tone is dark. “To get rid of Nimueh, I can’t let that happen.”

 

“I understand,” Kara squeezes her shoulder.

 

“I’ve been here before,” Lena grumbles. “I hate Lex, but I can’t let Merlin kill him.”

 

Kara nods, “We’ll find him, put a stop to it. Trust me.”

 

“I always will,” Lena hugs her girlfriend. 

 

“Let’s go find Merlin,” Kara proclaims as Lens steps back.

 

Lena pulls her phone out, opening the remote access for the tracking system at the Tower. The screen size isn’t ideal, but there’s no time to lose. She navigates to the proper screen before running a scan. It picks up a spike at her current location. Of course, from whatever the teleportation thing Merlin did. She expands the range of the scan further and further until she finds a second nearly identical spike. At first glance, it seems like it happened at the same moment, but Lena can see there’s actually a couple seconds difference between them. 

 

“Found him,” Lena declares. “We need to get there sooner rather than later…Merlin is acting rash. He says what’s one more death. I’m not sure he totally believes it.”

 

“Do you think Kelly would be willing to take him on as a client?” Kara asks, referring to her sister-in-law, who is a social worker and has experience working with veterans from her time as an army medic. 

 

Even though she’s worried, Lena can’t help but smile at the earnest tone of Kara’s voice. She isn’t sure how open Merlin will be to the idea of therapy, but figures if she convinces Arthur to be the one to suggest it, then it might work. Thinking of Arthur suddenly reminds her of the situation they’re in and the urgency behind it. 

 

“Possibly,” Lena concedes, “let’s deal with the current problem first. Here.”

 

She shows Kara the map on her phone and the area in which the second teleportation spell spike appeared. While she and Gwaine managed to increase the accuracy of the scans by a healthy amount, it still doesn’t allow for pinpointing. Luckily, she has a girlfriend with superspeed and various enhanced senses. 

 

“Find him, then quickly come to get me,” Lena requests, “I’ll keep scanning, maybe I can catch him if he moves to a different place.” 

 

“You’ve got it,” Kara flashes her a smile before speeding away. 

 

Lena turns back to Alex and Gaius, “I hate just standing around. Is there anything I can do?”

 

She ends up sitting by Arthur’s head to hold a portable oxygen mask over his nose and mouth. He already looks better than when they arrived. His breaths are deeper and more controlled. A paste made of some combination of things was spread over the wound on his side. 

 

They started with more traditional medical things, but it appears to be fully in the realm of magic at this point. 

 

“The physical signs should nearly be gone,” explains Gaius, “I’m just trying to draw out the remnants of Nimueh’s magic. If we don’t, the wound may re-open at any moment.” 

“It’s like being inside a DnD game,” Alex says under her breath as Gaius murmurs some words in the language of the Old Religion, causing Arthur’s whole body to glow. 

 

“No kidding,” Lena murmurs. Sure, she may have magic herself, but what Gaius is doing is completely beyond her. 

 

Finally, Gaius sits back on his heels and takes a deep breath, wiping sweat from his forehead. 

 

“Goodness,” he says in an exhausted tone, “it’s been a very long time since I’ve done healing magic of this caliber. Nimueh truly did a number on him.”

 

“But he’ll be okay?” Lena asks. She just got this brother, she really doesn’t want to lose him so soon. 

 

“Yes, my lady,” assures Gaius, “I’ll keep a close eye on him for the next week. He’ll need a day or two before he’s up to anything strenuous, but he’ll be just fine.”

 

Lena nods along with Gaius, “Good, okay. Might be good for Merlin to know.” Usually, she finds herself remarking and reminding him there is no need for him to call her “my lady”, but now doesn’t seem to be the time.

 

“Lena!” Kara appears in the doorway, not out of breath of course, but frantic nonetheless, “I found him. Both of them.”

 

“Go,” Alex urges when Lena looks to her and Gaius, “Arthur is in good hands, just go.”

 

Usually, Kara has a maximum speed she’s willing to fly while carrying a passenger; it’s for her own safety, so Lena understands. Today Kara’s pushing the limit as much as she can, undoubtedly feeling Lena’s desperation to get there quickly. While others might question Lena’s insistence on keeping Lex alive after all the things he’s done, Kara has always been supportive of Lena’s decision. 

 

Thankfully, they arrive at a field outside of town with no civilians present or at risk. Unfortunately,  Merlin and Nimueh are full-on fighting. It’s still very odd and incredibly weird to see Lex doing magic, but it indeed looks like Nimueh has full control of Lex’s body. 

 

“We have to stop them,” Lena looks at Kara with wide eyes. 

 

Kara looks like she’s ready to fly into the fight and break it up single-handedly. “No!” Lena reaches for her shoulder. “Kara, the magic–”

 

The Kryptonian nods, “Good thing I have a witch by my side.”

 

Lena grimaces, more often than not she feels like she doesn’t know what she’s doing when it comes to magic, but she has to do something. She can’t let Merlin and Nimueh go on like this. With the way the two of them are fighting, there is no way for Kara to physically separate them until Lena gets the magic aspect under control. 

 

While it is true she has gotten fairly good at handling the magic she has as Lena, the magic of the Old Religion that Morgana wields is much more wild. She and Merlin have been working hard on strength and control, so the rest should be on instinct alone. At least they aren’t flying around like some of the battles Kara has fought.

 

“Stop this!” Lena shouts as she approaches the dueling pair, “Merlin!”

 

The warlock doesn’t seem to hear her, the gold in his eyes burning bright and constant. Merlin may be strong, but his emotions are causing him to get sloppy. His aim is not as great as it should be, Nimueh is laughing and taunting as she dodges before returning magical blasts. They’re both a bit worse for wear, battered and bruised, yet Merlin continues with single-minded force while Nimueh laughs tauntingly.

 

“I said, that’s enough !” Lena infuses her words with as much power as she can, succeeding in blasting them apart. 

 

Nimueh stumbles and falls back, colliding with the ground in a way that looks painful. Merlin remains standing, but is pushed back several feet. The force of Lena’s magic causes his nose to slowly bleed. She rushes over to him, trusting Kara will handle keeping Nimueh down if needed. 

 

Lena stops in front of him, placing her hands on Merlin’s shoulders. 

 

“Listen to me, Merlin, you don’t have to do this,” she pleads, trying to catch his burning-gold gaze with her own. 

 

“Arthur,” Merlin grits out, “hurt.”

 

Of course. Of course, that’s the only thing Merlin is worried about. Lena needs to reassure him. 

 

“Arthur is fine, Gaius and Alex are taking care of him. He’ll be a little weak for the next few days, but he’s fine.”

 

Even through his shirt Lena can feel how warm Merlin is to the touch, bordering on too hot. It’s almost as if he’s feverish from magic and any coherent thought is a struggle. 

 

“Alive?” Merlin gasps out, “Blood, too much. Breath, too little.”

 

“He’s alive,” Lena confirms. She slides her hands up to cup the sides of Merlin’s flushed face, trying to infuse calmness into her touch. “Arthur is alive and he’s waiting for you.”

 

Slowly, very slowly, the heat underneath his skin cools down, the hold in his eyes fades from a blaze to the usual shimmer of magic. 

 

“That’s good,” soothes Lena, “Come back to us, Merlin.”

 

Although his eyes still have a sheen of gold, Lena can see blue peaking through and can tell he’s back to himself. 

 

“What,” Merlin gasps out, “the actual fuck . I-I couldn’t stop, it was like I was watching myself from somewhere outside my body. I don’t…”

 

He lets out a string of words that, from their tone, seem like swears, although Lena doesn’t understand any of them. 

 

“We can deal with that issue later,” Lena tells him, “first we need to figure out…that.”

 

While the two of them are talking, Nimueh recovers and has climbed to her feet, looking more pissed than before. 

 

“Without killing Lex?” Merlin sighs. 

 

“Without killing Lex,” Lena confirms. 

 

“Do you remember how we erased Morgause’s Camelot memories from her head?” Merlin asks, “What if we do that, but instead of erasing we just…pull Nimueh out.”

 

“Will that even work?” Lena asks. 

 

Merlin gives her a helpless shrug as if to say “hell, if I know.”

 

“Great,” Lena mutters, “so I guess we cross our fingers and hope.”

 

“It’s worked well for me in the past.”

 

Lena glares before turning toward Lex, “Great, then I think there are a few people who really and truly would like to see him repay his debt to society. Including me.”

 

“I’ll leave what happens to him up to you,” promises Merlin, “as long as you leave Nimueh to me. Now, hold my hand.”

 

Lena glances down at the hand he extends to her. She raises an eyebrow as he wiggles his fingers. 

 

“Come on, Lena,” Merlin coaxes, “you know we’re stronger together. We can work on figuring out how to join our strength without physical contact later, if you’re really so opposed.”

 

Lena rolls her eyes, but takes his hand. “You’re so annoying.”

 

“Awww, isn’t that cute,” Nimueh coos as she approaches, a false saccharine smile on Lex’s face, “taking some comfort from each other before I destroy you.”

 

It may not be Lex’s voice, not really, but Lena knows the look all too well. Lex has always been so patronizing, under the guise of helping Lena better herself. It is really to remind her “of her place”. 

 

“Yeah, well. Good luck, with that,” Lena’s tone is flat. “Merlin is right, we are stronger together.” She quickly glances at Kara, “ El-Mayarah.” The often heard Kryptonian phrase, the motto for the House of El.

 

Kara’s blue eyes sparkle when Lena says that. 

 

“Your prayers won’t help you here,” Nimueh spits out. 

 

Lena ignores her, reaching within herself to find her magic, the way it feels like electricity buzzing underneath her skin. Once she locates it, she reaches across to Merlin to connect with him, his magic more like the smoky burn of a campfire. She can feel him reaching back to her. When they connect they can speak to each other mind to mind, the way the Druids used to be able to. 

 

How do we do this? Lena asks. 

 

Merlin hums in thought, his voice filling her brain. I guess we just…reach in.

 

Mentally, they reach for Lex and Nimueh’s joint mind. Through their magic it’s easy to see the differences between them. Nimueh’s magic burns bright gold while Lex is the more muted burgundy of a normal human mind. 

 

One . Merlin says as they dig their mental fingers into Lex’s consciousness to pinpoint Nimueh. 

 

Two. Lena continues, bracing herself by gripping Merlin’s hand harder. 

 

Three! They chorus together and…pull. 

 

It’s an odd sensation, this thin line between the real world and magic to work from instinct alone. Lena always needs to have answers to her questions before moving forward.

 

She has to trust Merlin, she has to trust herself Vaguely, she realizes she’s yelling with exertion, but so is Merlin. Nimueh, too, is shouting, although it sounds more painful than theirs as she resists their pull. Lena and Merlin together are far stronger. With one last big pull, something releases. Merlin stumbles backward, but Lena manages to keep him from falling over. Beside Lex, a shimmering form floats, ambiguously person-shaped. It lets out a sound like a scream before rushing toward them. Merlin steps forward, hand extended. 

 

“Goodbye again, Nimueh,” he says, his eyes flashing gold, the shimmering form evaporating into nothing, “and don’t come back.”

 

Just like that, it’s over. Lex slumps forward while Lena’s heart pounds in her chest. She can see his chest slowly rising and falling. He’s alive. 

 

Lena brushes her hair back, feeling shaky, “Please tell me we’re done.”

 

“We’re done,” Merlin confirms, his voice just as shaky, obviously exhausted.

 

---

 

They meet back at the Tower several days later once Lena has Lex taken care of. By that time, Mercy has disappeared and all the ways she has to contact her have been disconnected. Lena decides not to pursue anything, simply making sure her computer system will inform her if Mercy ever comes within the city borders or appears on any news radars. 

 

They’re in the office space J’onn uses to meet with his clients, mostly because it’s one of the more comfortable spaces in the building. Arthur is doing much better, although he still looks a little pale. Merlin remains stuck to him like glue. 

 

“Has Morrie been getting any of his old memories back?” Arthur asks. He has taken a strong interest in the reincarnation of Mordred in a way that feels a little bit morbid, but Lena doesn’t really blame him for it. 

 

“No,” she replies, “nothing other than an intense desire to be by my side and a lot of apologies for allowing himself to get manipulated by Lex.”

 

Kara frowns, pressing her knee against Lena’s side where she’s perched on the arm of the sofa Lena is sitting on. “I hope he doesn’t blame himself for that.”

 

“I keep telling him that he isn’t the first to be convinced by my brother’s pretty words,” Lena tells her, “but he seems intent on repentance.”

 

Kara nods, “Well, that’s good. Things don’t always need to be a repeat of the past.”

 

“No, they don’t,” Lena agrees, “and they won’t be.”

 

Arthur lets out an amused snort, “I certainly hope not.”

 

“Can we talk about something else, please,” requests Merlin, “we got a bit too close to Arthur’s death for my comfort.”

 

“Oh, so should we talk about your scary, uncontrolled magic rage?” Lena prods.

 

Kara steps in to make some peace. “Why don’t we enjoy the calm while it lasts, hmm?”

 

Arthur grins at her, “Shall we take bets on how long that lasts?”

 

“Can we not?” Merlin groans, burying his face in Arthur’s shoulder. 

 

“I say,” Lena interrupts, “that we go back to my place, order some food, open some wine, and pretend none of our problems exist.”

 

“Seconded,” says Merlin. 

 

“Thirded,” adds Arthur. 

 

Kara pretends to bang a gavel on her own thigh. “The motion passes.”

 

“Perfect,” Lena gets to her feet. “Now let’s get out of here and order as many potstickers as Kara…” She then pauses and shakes her head. “As many potstickers as we can eat. I know I can count on that one to have a stomach rivaling a black hole.” 

 

“Hey!” Kara frowns as everyone laughs good naturedly.