Date: Sunday, June 11th, 2011, 00:15 pm
Location: Metropolis
Leaving Bruce Wayne simmering in his carefully contained fury was a genuine pleasure. His predictable stubbornness confirmed my assessment of him. Bruce would resist and plot, but ultimately, when faced with an insurmountable challenge, he would adapt. The bat always did. The seed of doubt about his lone wolf philosophy was planted, a subtle crack in the foundation of his self-imposed isolation. He would carry that seed, unknowingly, just as I carried the weight of foreknowledge, a burden and a weapon from a life that felt both impossibly distant and terrifyingly real.
My next target was far less volatile, yet equally essential. Clark Kent. He was unassuming in his ill-fitting tuxedo, a stark contrast to the tailored finery around him. His shoulders were too broad, and his posture was slightly hunched, as if he were trying to shrink his imposing frame. He chatted earnestly with a group of older socialites, their expressions ranging from polite amusement to genuine fascination. It still amazes me how everyone nearly equated him to almost a god since his emergence as Superman, yet no one has yet to discover that he was walking amongst us in plain sight.
He remained oblivious to my more profound knowledge, which, in its own way, was quite charming. It made him a far more pliable tool than the Dark Knight. His inherent goodness, a rare commodity in my previous world, was something I intended to leverage, not exploit. He was humanity's beacon, and I needed him at the forefront of the coming storm.
Then, she joined him. Lois Lane. Her presence was a force multiplier, an undeniable gravitas that drew the eye. Her crimson dress was bold, her stride confident, and her dark hair fell in perfect waves around a face etched with intelligence and a healthy dose of cynicism. She was formidable, precisely as I remembered, from a lifetime of comic book lore.
This was perfect. My plan required a subtle approach, a planting of seeds rather than a direct confrontation. I needed them to discover the truth, to piece together the puzzle I would lay before them. It wasn't about revealing my knowledge of their identities; it was about guiding their revelation, shaping their perception of the world's new dangers, and crucially, shaping their perception of me.
I moved with purpose, a glass of champagne held loosely in my hand, my own meticulously tailored suit a statement of understated power. My approach was calculated to be both approachable and authoritative.
I approached them with a broader, more open smile, adjusting my public persona from the sharp-edged magnate to the affable, slightly weary philanthropist who had just pulled off a successful charity event.
"Clark, Lois," I greeted, my voice warm and modulated, a smile playing on my lips. "I was hoping to catch you both tonight. Enjoying the gala?"
Clark, startled, nearly dropped his plate of hors d'oeuvres. "Mr. Luthor! Uh, yes, it's... quite the event. The, uh, the salmon is excellent." He gestured vaguely with his fork, a nervous tic that confirmed his identity.
Lois, ever vibrant, laughed. "Mr. Luthor! We're just trying to make sense of it all. Another extraordinary evening, and quite the heartfelt speech. Zoe seemed... well, she certainly seemed surprised by her moment in the spotlight."
"A little overwhelmed, perhaps," I conceded, winking conspiratorially at Clark. "But she's a strong girl. She'll come to appreciate the opportunity. Especially since she's made a few new friends, like certain... agile young men from Gotham, wouldn't you agree?" My gaze lingered on Clark for a beat, a subtle probe.
Clark offered a genuine, unassuming smile. "She certainly handled herself well, Mr. Luthor." He didn't rise to the bait, but I detected a subtle shift in his composure. Good. He was listening.
"And you, Clark? Still finding the quiet fascination in a busy cityscape? Or are you always thinking of the next big scoop?" I moved to stand beside him, letting my gaze sweep over the twinkling lights. "It's a beautiful city, isn't it? A testament to human ingenuity and resilience."
"It is, and one worth protecting, Mr. Luthor," Clark agreed, his gaze thoughtful. For a moment, the real personality of Clark, the confident and powerful one, bled through his disguise.
I agreed, letting my gaze sweep over the twinkling lights. "You're absolutely right, Clark, this is one worth protecting. Not only the city but the planet itself." My eyes lingered on him for a beat longer than strictly necessary, a silent acknowledgment of the strength I knew lay beneath his unassuming facade. He didn't react, of course. Perfect.
Lois, sensing an opening, cut in. "Speaking of protecting, Mr. Luthor, that brings us to the future. Your initiative tonight is a massive step for Metropolis. But what's next? What are Lex Luthor's plans for the future, beyond philanthropy?" Her pen was poised over her notepad, ever the diligent reporter.
I turned to her, my expression becoming more serious and thoughtful. The stage was set. "Lois, last year's events in Gotham – the sheer destructive power unleashed by individuals like Bane and Deadshot – and the ongoing emergence of these… 'metahumans' capable of untold destruction… they've brought a stark clarity to things for me. Humanity faces threats now that defy conventional understanding. Threats that could wipe out cities, even civilizations, in an instant. I realized that even with all my resources, all my intellect, all my foresight from... studying historical patterns, I would struggle to face these escalating dangers alone."
I paused, letting my gaze drift meaningfully towards Clark, though still addressing Lois. "It also became clear that even someone as uniquely capable as Metropolis's own Superman, will eventually meet his match. There will be problems too vast, too powerful, too alien, for even him to tackle single-handedly. Things I've foreseen. Threats that are simply too immense for one being, no matter how extraordinary."
Lois's eyes widened slightly, her pen momentarily forgotten. Clark, however, shifted subtly, his gaze becoming more alert, though his friendly demeanor didn't waver. He was listening, intently.
"That's why," I continued, my voice gaining a profound, almost reverent tone, "I believe it's time for a new approach. A proactive defense against the inevitable. I want to create something truly unprecedented." I looked directly at both of them, my voice dropping slightly, conveying the gravity of my conviction. "I need to speak with Superman. Urgently. There are things he needs to know, things he needs to prepare for."
Lois blinked. "You... you want us to contact Superman for you?" She gestured between herself and Clark, clearly incredulous. "Mr. Luthor, we're reporters. We don't exactly have him on speed dial."
I allowed myself a small, knowing smile, my gaze lingering on Clark for a beat, a subtle challenge. "Perhaps not directly on 'speed dial,' Lois. But you two, more than anyone else I know, seem to have… a remarkable knack for being in the right place at the right time when he appears. And he does seem to trust you, doesn't he?" My smile widened. "What I propose is this: I want to assemble a team. Not just 'heroes' playing at vigilantism, but a disciplined, powerful unit. A team of true protectors. The finest Earth has to offer, individuals capable of confronting these cosmic threats head-on. And I believe Superman, with his unparalleled strength, would be a vital, if not central, component."
I held their gaze, particularly Clark's. The bait was set. The invitation to shape the future, to be part of something grand, something necessary. And the subtle implication that I already knew more than they could possibly imagine.
"Will you deliver my message?" I asked, my voice earnest, laced with an undeniable authority. "Tell him Lex Luthor wants to forge the shield that will protect humanity from the storm. Tell him I need him to join me. I envision a partnership of equals, where we not only defend the planet from impending threats, but actively work together to help and uplift the people on it. This is about more than just stopping the next alien invasion; it's about building a better, stronger, more secure future for everyone, on every level. And Superman, alongside other powerful individuals I intend to invite, would be crucial to that vision."
Clark's friendly smile had faded, replaced by a thoughtful, almost troubled expression. He looked from me to Lois, then back to me, the gears turning in his mind. The dilemma was apparent: the public benefactor, the visionary, asking for an alliance against unseen threats, promising partnership and progress.