[OOC: History of an AU clone.]
Kon was developed as part of a plan by Luthor to attack his foe, Superman, where he was most vulnerable. By creating a super-clone and mentally programming it to destroy Superman, Luthor believed that he would crush Superman's spirit, first by allowing him to believe he had family in the clone, then by forcing him to either destroy it or be destroyed. The project encountered many difficulties, as Kryptonian DNA proved difficult to replicate and manipulate. Eventually, a half-human, half-Kryptonian clone was created, Luthor himself donating the genetic material. However, before the project could be completed, Superman died and subject 000013-KON was shelved, along with his batch-mates.
Either 000013-KON was further developed than the Luthorcorp scientists thought, or something went wrong when he was put into statis as instead of continuing to sleep, the clone woke, freeing himself from the tank where he'd been artificially aged to a physical age of about fifteen. Disorientated and confused, the first person 000013-KON saw was Luthor, who unable to accept the death of his great adversary had come to the labs to look at the clone. The two of them connected, Luthor deciding that although the reason for 000013-KON's creation had gone, the clone now had a new existance, that of Luthor's 'son' and successor. A history was created for him as a heretofore unknown illegitimate child of Luthor's, and 000013-KON was officially adopted by the business man and political leader, garnering great media attention in the process.
Kon Lionel Luthor was eager to please his father, applying himself dilligently to his studies and learning the Luthorcorp business. At this stage he showed no signs of manifesting any superhuman abilities, and it was assumed by those who knew about the project that the attempt to create a half-Kryptonian clone was as unsuccessful in 000013-KON as it had been in batches 000001-000012. It was decided to keep as much of the project from Kon's knowledge as possible, so that the clone could develop comparatively normally. Kon and Luthor appeared to be developing a close familial connection, but before their relationship could really be cemented, Superman returned, and Luthor's attention returned to his old foe. Kon found himself resenting Superman for dominating Luthor's attention, and as Luthor's political platform focused on the issues caused by so called 'super-heroes', he shared his father's distrust of them as well. It was at this stage that he developed his loud, brash tendencies, competing for attention with Luthor's many other projects.
It was a competition that Kon didn't win very often, and he spent most of his 16th and 17th years alone, attending a prestigious high school, and hoping that outstanding reports and sporting acheivements might get him some of the attention he wanted. Then one morning he woke up to find himself above the bed. He had a hard time explaining his subsequent freak out to the house-staff, but he manged -- Kon feared that if his father were to know about his powers, he'd receive the same hostile treatment that the public superheroes did. Kon cast around for someone to go to for help and guidance, by chance alighting on the group Young Justice, a collection of super-powered teenagers led by Robin, reasoning that teenagers might understand where adults did not -- but the team, wary of his Luthor connections, declined to talk to him. Kon, stung by their perceived indifference, determined to manage on his own, and taught himself control of his developing abilities. He continued to follow Young Justice's exploits through the media, determined to get even. His interest in the team, combined with Luthor's habit of taking him with him on business trips led Kon to discover the identity of their leader, one Tim Drake, and knowing the other boy would be paranoid about protecting his secret identity, proceeded to annoy him every chance he got. Ironically, this somehow led to Kon forming one of the strongest friendships he has.
Observing the lengths that Tim went to to protect his identity but still help people, Kon was forced to reconsider his dim view of Young Justice, but he might have continued to keep his powers hidden, if not for a chance encounter. Angry at being ditched by Luthor for a press engagement on the latest meta-human situation, Kon was watching an unfolding disaster over the TV when the commentator said the magic words -- 'Where is Superman?' Stung into action, Kon set out to prove that they didn't need Superman. Although angry, he was smart enough to keep his actions hidden from all but the other superheroes on the scene -- Young Justice. Urged by Tim to overlook Kon's heritage, the team invited him to join them. However, Kon insists he's no superhero, preferring his role in their adventures to be undocumented and behind the scenes. He doesn't have a superhero persona, instead shunning the limelight and keeping his involvement hidden. At this stage, he's secure in the friendships he's made with the Young Justice team, and beginning to wonder if maybe his father was wrong about them, though any overt criticism of Luthor or praise of Superman will provoke his temper. Basically, he's beginning to question the assumptions he has about his world, and he's not always happy with the answers he finds.