Metropolis

Earth-One

11:45 AM.

The sun had risen to the highest point of Metropolis, a bustling city of opportunity. People were going through with their daily lives. Some were sitting together at cafe tables having conversations over brunch, while others were walking through the bustling sidewalks, talking to their friends, family, or associates on their phones. Then there were the newcomers, taking pictures of the Daily Planet building, the biggest newspaper company in the city. The golden ringed planet that decorated its rooftop shone brightly in the sunlight, letting everyone know that this city is special. Not just for its tall skyscrapers, it population of smiling faces, and its prospects of wealth, but also for one special individual. Some call him its guardian, the Man of Steel, but he prefers one simple name…

Superman.

An alien being from the long since destroyed Krypton, Superman has powers one could only dream about. Super strength, flight, enhanced senses, and many more to boot. Some praise him like a savior sent from heaven, others fear him for the seemingly limitless power and his alien nature. Because of this, the blue clad defender has had his fair share of enemies over the years of his career as a hero. Metallo, Brainiac, Livewire, etc. However, none have had the honor of being pronounced as his arch nemesis than the intelligent and manipulative Lex Luthor. Owner and founder of LexCorp, Luthor has projected a positive image of himself by posing as a man of the people but with dark intentions. No matter what sort of scheme Lex has to obtain great power, it's always the Big Blue Boy Scout who comes in and saves the day. With nearly everything thrown at Superman and not even laying a dent, it may be that nothing could aid Luthor in his quest for power and control...but maybe there is.

A white and shiny limousine floats through the streets, passing by various vehicles whose drivers take but a glance and know for a fact who it belongs to. The driver of the limousine, expressionless in her sunglasses and cloud grey suit, doesn't say a word as she proceeds to take the passenger to their destination. The passenger, relaxed on the lavish red velvet seats holding a martini and wearing the best business suit money could buy, was watching a news story covering the latest exploits of Superman, externally with mild disinterest but internally with seething hatred. The man was of average build with green eyes, with not a single strand of hair on his head, staring intensely at his tablet until he decided he had enough and turned it off without hesitation.

"We're approaching LexCorp tower, sir," the driver explained in monotone.

Luthor only replied with a deep but smooth "splendid" as the vehicle parked perfectly beside the tower entrance. Luthor removed himself from the limousine and closed the door behind him before the limousine pulled away. Strolling from the steps and into the automatic doors of the tower, Luthor was met with buzzing of corporate worker bees in clothes of business suits and briefcases. Some noticed their boss entering the area and attempted to be friendly by giving him a neighborly wave and smile with little response other than a lazy wave back, while others only kept to their business of phone calling and writing reports of their latest ventures. Luthor didn't even adjust his head towards their direction, but instead kept his attention focused on the gilded elevator greeting him at the end of the hallway. The contempted CEO made his way into the elevator and pressed the top button on the control pad, waiting as the doors in front of him and began to propel him upwards towards the top floor. His floor.

A soft ding emitted from the elevator, indicating that Luthor was home. The elevator doors split open, revealing a dark laboratory like something out of Frankenstein. Machines, computers, lab equipment, and even various experiments littered the room. As soon as Luthor put his right foot on the metal floor, the ceiling lights automatically turned themselves on and machines whirred to life. Luthor took off his blazer and set it gently on a nearby coat rack, then turned towards a chair and table in front of a rather huge computer screen. Luthor placed himself down on the chair and up to the table, pressing a switch and activating the computer.

"Welcome home, Lex Luthor," the computer spoke to him with the voice of a mature woman, "how may I be of assistance?"

"Bring up the latest news coverage," Lex demanded.

Sure enough, the computer projected the news as ordered. On the screen was a beautiful woman with blonde hair and red lipstick, sitting behind a desk and facing the camera with a friendly grin on her face. "Good morning, Metropolis, I'm Cat Grant and welcome to Daily Planet News channel 5. In most recent news, another successful rescue by our favorite hero, Superman, was made today at around 10:30 when an unexpected engine failure on a commercial airline caused the plane to careen out of the sky and would've resulted in the loss of many lives if Superman hadn't intervened. We have reporter Lana Lang on the scene now." The image then shifts to a redhead in a white top and silken black skirt that came about over her knees holding a microphone in her hand.

"Thank you, Cat," Lana began, "well as you can see behind me, Superman was able to grab the plane just in time to avoid any damage to buildings, civilians, and even to the plane itself. The passengers are all OK, there were no casualties and only some slight bruising. We've interviewed some of them to hear what they had to say about this event." The broadcasted shifted focus to various men, women, and children spitting out nothing but praise for the Man of Steel. Luthor watched on, his face contorting more and more into an expression of hate every time Superman was mentioned. Finally, he roared a loud yell and forced the computer to turn it off, not being able to take any more of it.

"I can't stand it!" Luthor exclaimed his opinion in a not so formal way. "With every day I stand and breathe, I'm always reminded of that damn Superman! No matter what plan I have to destroy it, it's not enough! He just comes back, flying into the scene with his disgusting smile! Just the thought of him makes me SICK!" Luthor snagged his chair and chucked it across the room with anger driven force, but not before taking a big breath and sat down on his table with his left leg across his right and holding his head in the palm of his left hand. "Superman is driving me to insanity...I just can't defeat him. He might have finally proved his point...he just might be better than me."

"Oh come now, are you really going to mope around and accept defeat?"

The voice that mocked him from a darkened corner startled Luthor, motivating him to stand up and grab a pistol that was hidden under the table in case of emergency. The voice was intelligent with a dash of arrogance and pride. Whoever it is, they're invading Luthor's lab...and Luthor doesn't approve of trespassers. "Show yourself! Who are you and how did you get in here!?" Luthor was given a response in the form of a soft chuckle and a playful "if you insist…"

The trespasser revealed himself from the corner. His skin was green, almost sickly, though the figure showed no signs of illness. He wore a skin tight black suit with an orange robe over it, which resembled that of a lab coat or the top of a hazmat suit. The figure had thin, trimmed eyebrows, a thin mustache which ends met the tips of his mouth, and the stare of an intellectual with the smile of a mastermind. Despite that, the most interesting feature of this man was his abnormally large forehead, which protruded upwards from his brow with small yet visible veins. "Relax, Baldy, I'm not here to harm you...that is if you're cooperative."

Luthor examined the man with curiosity and intrigue. Never before has the billionaire seen the likes of this...stranger before. Taking notice of what the green man said, he decided to hear him out, just to see if there's an opportunity for him. Luthor lowered his pistol on slightly and straightened his posture. "What the hell are you? Some kind of alien? A Martian, perhaps?"

"I can assure you, I'm about as alien as a foreigner from another country." The green man examined the laboratory while continuing with his story. "However, I'm not from THIS Earth...but rather one somewhat similar to yours. I am Samuel Sterns, but I prefer to be called...the Leader." Luthor glared at the Leader but soon enough put his gun onto the table, but just close enough in case this meeting went south. "Well then, 'Leader'," Lex said, "tell me how you got into my lab and why you're here before I call security."

"Transdimensional vortex, of course," the Leader answered, talking down to Luthor like an adult talks towards a small minded child, "using a device of my own design, I decided to use said device to 'peek' into other universes and see if there was one that I could conquer. However, upon further investigation, I just so happened to find your universe." The Leader meddled with some of Luthor's technology, playing with them for the toys he imagined them to be. "That is where I discovered you, Mr. Alexander Luthor. I'll admit, your creations are quite interesting...lesser, but interesting nonetheless. I've also noticed how we're similar in a certain way...we both have the intellect and the skills to take what we want, to control everything and everyone, but are always denied the taste of victory because of inferior minds." Leader shifted at Luthor and walked right up to him. "I want to help you, Luthor...alone neither of us can achieve anything, but together our combined minds and technology could be a force without challenge. Together, we could rule the world...possibly even more."

The Leader's proposition sounded pleasing to Luthor's ears. This could be his chance. Joining forces with the green man before him could mean the end of Superman forever! The very thought of it almost made Luthor smile. However, his mind cleared when he remembered that it was Superman, the very enemy he wasted his life trying to eliminate. "You have me interested, Leader, but I'm afraid there's a small problem...in my universe there's a cape wearing dolt who has defeated me for as long as I can remember…"

"I know about Superman," Leader interrupted somewhat rudely, "don't take me for an idiot. You'd think I would just waltz into another dimension without proper research? Incredible strength, speed, flight, durability, etc. He comes from Krypton. I figured he was your nemesis, so that's why I devised a plan to destroy him, or at least keep him occupied so we can finish the job."

Luthor crossed his arms judgingly, "and, praytell, would that plan be?"

The Leader smiled as he raised his right arm, which was outfitted with a device that covered his forearm. Leader pressed a series of buttons before a hologram emitted from the device. It showed the image of a muscle bound, angry humanoid, fists clenched and wore only pants that were torn at the knees and bottoms. The creature had short, black hair, bright green eyes, and skin that was just as green as the Leader's. The hologram declared a raging roar, one that made Lex Luthor jump in surprise. Lex moved his attention away from the hologram and back to the Leader before asking jokingly, "friend of yours?"

"Not in the slightest." Luthor switched to another hologram of the creature, this time featuring it savagely punching through tanks, robots, and ships with its bare hands. "This is the mindless brute that has defeated me time and time again. His true identity is Dr. Bruce Banner, but he's mostly called the Hulk. Created by gamma radiation, the same that made me the genius I am today, Banner becomes the Hulk when faced with extreme anger or stress. The Hulk is a walking gamma bomb, becoming stronger the angrier he gets. I can simply say that your so called 'Man of Steel' might find Hulk quite the challenge."

"Interesting...and where exactly is this 'Hulk' right now?"

"Still in my dimension. I was just now able to find his coordinates. Banner was last seen hiding out in a diner in New Mexico...well, MY New Mexico." Leader switched off the holograms. "If we want this plan to succeed, we'll have to find someone strong enough to capture him, and I doubt we can trick Superman into doing it for us."

"Undoubtedly," Luthor responded in agreement, "however, I believe I know someone who can aid us." Luthor turns to his table and types in a code on a hidden keypad just as a sound of released air is heard. The wall opened into a secret room, which held a man sized pod with a green glass window. The pod opens, white mist escaping into the open air, just as a figure stood up and stepped out of the pod. The being was mostly robotic, with the only human parts being half its face and its left arm and shoulder. The cyborg opened its eyes and smiled at the two men. "Hey Luthor, thanks for fixing me up."

"Your appreciation is unneeded, Metallo," Luthor responded in a commanding tone, "I only need a small favor from you. My friend here wants you to capture a special someone for us. I figured you'd be up for some "exercise" after sleeping in that pod. This person will be dangerous, but I'm sure you can handle it. You in?"

Metallo expressed a sinister smile towards Luthor before giving his answer.

"Where do I start?"

End of Chapter 1