I know I haven't updated my stories in a while, but I already told everyone that I would update when I can. And that's not much when the life is hectic and your mind always go to another idea. Though I will try to focus on this story more. This along with my soon to be coming 'Rise of the Arcane' rewrite will be my main focuses. But I think I got my message across to you so…
ENJOY
Chapter 1
Alexander Luthor was not an ordinary man. He was born in the slums of the Metropolis, to abusive parents. His childhood wasn't nice, not with the drunkards in a place that was literally called the 'Suicide Slum'. But while most would've broken under such circumstances, Lex had managed to rise above it. Every blow to him simply became another hammer strike that would one day perfect the great sword that was himself. In the lowest parts of the city he had managed to become ruthless, manipulative, cunning and ambitious.
Through the money he got from the life insurances of his parents, he had created Lexcorp. Originally an aerospace engineering firm, now one of -if not the- biggest multinational corporations in the world. Through his genius he had managed to turn Metropolis into the City of Tomorrow. And for a while, Lex was happy. Happy with what he created and the brighter future he could create, the next advancements of humanity.
And then he appeared.
Man of Steel.
An alien with powers surpassing any being on earth. Someone who had outshined him not with advancements in numerous field but because the spandex wearing alien could fly and lift heavy objects!
It was like everything he had ever done was meaningless. Medicine, technology, psychology, economies and even sociology. None of it mattered because some alien was flying around.
And the worst part. Everything had stopped. No one was trying to better themselves anymore. No more advancements from anyone except Lexcorp. Such an opportunity should have made him happy. But all it did was making him feel sick. The alien was not truly helping them. He was someone giving fish to the hungry but never letting them learn how to hunt for themselves.
For that Lex Luthor had decided that the alien had to go.
His first few attempts were quite honestly a bit stupid. He blamed it on the alien making him too paranoid for a while. It was much better than admitting that he was acting like some savage from Arkham of all places.
So after that he simply decided to use subtle methods. Any moron could try to go into a brawl with the Man of Steel but that was not the way. Humanity hadn't risen to the top through trying to beat animals in their own field. No, they had found ways to outthink and outmaneuver them.
And he had managed to find some like minded individuals in the next years. Admittedly they weren't saints and had some plans of their own for humanity, most which were quite honestly ridiculous, but they still had managed to band together for a common cause.
Even with the loss of CADMUS and the project Kr, he still had some cards to play. And there were few who would be courageous, or stupid, enough to come to him. Well except for the League.
So he was quite surprised when he saw a man looking out of his window from his office.
"Mister, I would like to ask you to-"
"This tower is in the east side of the city." The young man in black trench coat started talking without even looking back at him.
"As the sun rises people would see this tower just under it. A message, a way to show them you are at the top. The closest one to the heavens. I don't dislike it, this geographical show of power."
Now this had stumped the CEO. While what the man said was true, it was also something very subtle. Something very few people would pay attention to.
"Who are you and what do you want?" And then the man turned around. Someone probably in their early twenties, maybe twenty three. His long black hair hanging loose in a way that didn't look too formal but still having a regality to it. His face was a bit above the average but what truly get attention was the scar on his right side of forehead. Looking like a crude lightning bolt.
"Apologies, my name is Harry Black. And I want to talk business with you and if possible come to a certain arrangements with you in a way you can push humanity forward in a better and smarter way, Alexander Luthor."
In the Happy Harbor of the Rhode Island was the old base of the Justice League, the Mount Justice. Since it was abandoned after its location was compromised in the early years of the League, it currently housed a team of young heroes, most of them rather well known for their partnership to the well known members of the League.
The mountains current residents were Aqualad, Robin, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, Superboy and Artemis, the sidekicks. Or as they called themselves: The Team. Not very imaginative, but not wrong.
The Team was founded after Kid Flash, Robin and Aqualad had infiltrated Cadmus and learned about Project Kr. their new team mate and the genetical clone of Superman, Superboy. A few days later their mentors had organized the Mount Justice for them and introduced their fifth member, M'gann M'orzz aka Miss Martian. Martian Manhunters niece.
After a few missions they had even gotten their last member, Artemis, just after another mission. And what a mission that was. Going against Ivo and his creation, Amazo, an android that could copy the powers of the entire Justice League. And then they had went to their first mission with Artemis, protecting Dr. Roquette from the League of Shadows and destroying their nanotech weapon.
Now they were back in the cave, front of Batman and Black Canary, ready for their next mission.
"This is Harry Black." Batman showed them a hologram with a photo of the said mans face.
"The founder and the CEO of Black Industries. One of the youngest CEOs in the world and the foremost expert of the world in the studies of clear energy." Nothing that would warrant the attention of the League, being smart and successful wasn't a crime.
"In two days, he will be hosting a party where he will be showcasing his newest invention."
"Yeah, I don't really see anything suspicious yet." Wally interrupted Batman, only to receive the patented Bat-Glare.
"Shutting up now."
"What causes us to be wary is ,some of the guests he invited." Black Canary started explaining.
"The list includes but is not limited to: Lois Lane, Oliver Queen, Ted Kord, Serling Roquette and Lex Luthor."
And that last name got each members attention. None of them were unaware of the Lexcorp's owner and his shady dealings. Not to mention the times he had tried to destroy Superman. Knowing that such a man would be there made sure they were all serious for the mission.
"What is the mission?" Kaldur, the leader of the team, asked.
"The team will infiltrate the party and try to learn everything they can about why exactly is Luthor invited." Batman told, ordered, them.
"Fortunately, another one of the invited will help you by getting the attention on herself." Black Canary smirked at their confused expressions.
"Who is this invited?" Superboy asked what the team was thinking, not caring much about subtlety.
"I am." Someone voiced out from behind them, causing them to turn around to see…
The party had started half an hour ago, most of the guest being already in the building. Harry was happy with how things were going. He also wondered if the Justice League had took his bait. He could see Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow, mingling with other guests. Ted Kord and Serling Roquette seemed to be getting along very well. His own minion-cough cough-colleagues were also seemingly doing their work, keeping tabs on more important guests. One can never have enough information and some of them had telephonic friends, so he had to use old fashioned ways to gather information. Instead of the fun way.
Though he could clearly see what most people in the hall were thinking. It was mostly those who had certain activities with masks he had trouble reading. Others were either simply curious or greedy curious. Though all of their thoughts changed to shock when the last invited entered the building.
Wearing a red greek tunic with matching heels and her tiara over her head, Diana aka Wonder Woman shocked many with her appearance. Except for the one who had invited her.
"Miss Diana." Harry offered his hand for a shake to arguably the worlds greatest heroine.
"Mister Black." She accepted it, even if she put a bit more strength than necessary.
"I am rather surprised that I was invited." Wonder Woman's question was easy to understand. 'Why was I invited?'
"You are an ambassador from Themyscira. I simply thought that it would be nice to show them our world was getting better, even if slowly. Your islands first contact with our world after over a thousand years was not exactly under the best circumstances after all." And wasn't that an understatement. Considering that Wonder Woman had first ventured out of her island during the times of the World War II.
"It is nice to see advancements of your world." Wonder Woman admitted.
"Then please, enjoy the party." With those last words, the young CEO went back into the party. Not paying any attention to some of the younger and uninvited guests.
'Anything suspicious?' Aqualad asked his team and Wonder Woman through Miss Martian's telephonic link, while trying to blend in with the guests.
'Outside of how he didn't flinch when I put some strength in his hand, nothing.' Wonder Woman answered, somewhat miffed that the young Black had given no reaction.
'Nothing here.'
'Same here.'
'Ditto'
'Same here.'
'Nope, still whelmed.'
Before they could continue, a young women with short brown hair in a black tuxedo spoke the words every reporter wants to hear.
"Mister Black will accept questions now."
Akin to piranhas ganging up on their prey, every reporter in the building swiftly grouped around the stage, where Harry Black was standing. It was amusing to him. People acting like hungry vultures in this so called civilized societies.
"Mister Black, Cat Grant of Daily Planet. What do you have to say about the public calling you the Da Vinci of this era?!"
"Absolutely ridiculous. It is a bit embarrassing to admit but I can't paint to save my life." This reply got some laughs from the audience.
'Rich, smart, handsome and funny. This guy outclasses you every way, Wall-Man.'
'Who asked you newbie?'
'Quiet.'
"Mister Black." Another reporter immediately took over Grant's right for questions. "Some people have claimed that the only reason your company has been so successful so far is only because of the money you already possessed. Do you have any words to that?" That silenced everyone in the audience. Not expecting someone to ask that question this early. Though if the young CEO was concerned, he didn't show it.
"What's your name miss?"
"Iris West, Central City Citizen."
"Well Miss West, it is right that I created this company with my family's money and they were old money, that is true. But what was I supposed to do with that money?" He asked not only to the reporter but to everyone in the building "Should I have converted it all to a golden block, hide it in the cave and live the rest of my days in that cave, occasionally calling the golden block 'my precious'?" He could only laugh at that thought. "No, my money might be from the family but in the end, it was just an asset. What we sell in my company are inventions to make this world better. So without further ado, I present you, the Arc Reactor!" With that last shout the curtains opened to reveal a giant circle shaped machine, it's insides glowing with an electrical blue.
"Arc Reactor, the current masterpiece of my company. A fusion reactor that can create five hundred Megawatt worth of clean energy!"
'Did I just heard him correctly?' Kid Flash's shock wasn't unwarranted. Considering an average house used eight hundred and sixty seven Kilowatt in a month and that one Megawatt was equal to a thousand Kilowatt, that meant the Arc Reactor could power a whole city by itself for at least a week. This meant that the Black Industries had just revealed their creation could destroy anything else in energy related business in their world.
'I think you did KF, but I'm having problems believing it too.' Among all the members of their team only robin had any kind of experience with business world through his life as the adopted son of Bruce Wayne. So he knew better than anyone else how much this invention could change the current field of energy business. Through destroying it. And that is without thinking about the fact how incompetent it made Star Labs look. Black Industries didn't have access to the alien technology like they did but they have just revealed themselves to be their superior. One didn't have to be a prophet to know that the League's scientific partners were going to deal with some questions in the near future.
"Miss Diana!"
They couldn't communicate more as the CEO was approaching their current leader.
"Advanced enough?" Young adult asked the heroine cheekily.
"More than I was expecting, to be honest." And wasn't that an understatement.
"To be honest, I can't take all the credit. I wouldn't be able to complete it this soon without help from Mister Nelson."
The last name that left his lips had caused Diana to freeze. Out of everything she had been expecting, the name of her old comrade from her time in the All Star Squadron wasn't one of them. And the way that the young Black was smiling at her…
"How do you know Kent Nelson?" Her gaze was hardened. Expecting the worst from the young CEO.
"He's only an old friend of friend of my grandfather." The young adult told her as he spotted a familiar bald man and his bodyguard approaching them.
"If you'll excuse me, I have some private matters to discuss with a friend." Harry walked past her, towards Luthor before stopping.
"By the way, grandfather sent a message to you." Diana was still looking at him warily as he smiled like a loon.
"'The one who ate that ice cream before the mission was Arcturus, not Wesley Dodds'."
All Wonder Woman could do at that moment was stare at his back as she fully processed what he just said. And in the end all she could think was…
Charlus!
"Well I guess you have decided to listen to my advice, Mister Luthor."
Both CEOs were seated front of each other, and they both had one bodyguard behind them. Mercy Graves behind Lex Luthor and the same brunette that allowed reporters questions behind Harry Black.
"I was quite surprised when you started badmouthing my colleagues. Especially since no one is supposed to know we are colleagues."
"You people of the Light may be impressive and smart. But none are as smart as they liked to believe they are." Harry smirked at Luthor's frowning face. "Don't make such a face, when I say none, I mean no one. Not even me." The young Black chuckled. "But I believe that I'm at least smart enough to give you a better option."
"What would be better than what I have now?" Luthor challenged him, even if he was actually curious about it.
"As planners, very few. But for the progress of humanity, then the options get much more varied." Luthor didn't seem like he believed the young adult and waited for him to elaborate. "Brain might help you scientifically advance, but he's just as likely to dissect something that would end humanity, not caring about consequences but only about his own curiosity. Ocean Master doesn't truly want humanity to advance but for them to become vassals of Atlantis. Ra's al Ghul is so senile that he is just as likely to start bombing in order for us to 'evolve'." He couldn't stop himself from leaking some venom at that last word, mocking the Demon's Head. "Savage and Queen Bee might want humanity to advance, but only so that it could serve them better. And lastly we have Klarion… Honestly I have no idea what you people were smoking while making him a member." Seriously, that little thing with the manners of a brat with an attitude should not be considered as a leader of anything but a little boat. One that was about to sink that is.
Lex Luthor could not argue that Klarion wasn't exactly a prime material for someone to advance humanity, but their group needed at least one heavy hitter if the things went south. So when Savage brought Klarion, they were beggars not choosers.
"And then what am I in that group?"
"The only one that has any actual interest in humanities advancement." Harry replied honestly. "If you want to actually accomplish that, you know my number." And that was Luthor's cue to leave. He already had been given too much to think about. All he could do right now was to review his memory to make sure that young Black was right about the other members of the Light as Mercy closed the door behind him.
"Do you think he will accept, sir?" The woman asked the young CEO, who could only sigh.
"Not anytime soon. We're currently his backup plan if the Light keep being idiots. Then he might come to us. But until then, we'll need to deal with them ourselves." Which wasn't exactly easy. Even if none of them except Klarion were true threats to him in single combat, they were still smart enough to cover their tracks. Even from magical means.
"As long as we can deal with the caveman, I am happy sir."
"Of course you are." Harry muttered, already knowing how much the women beside him hated the first immortal of earth. It was one of the reasons he had managed to get her on his side after all.
"But what about the Martian sir?" That made him smirk, happy that she was finally asking the right questions.
"Unfortunately for her and her team, miss Diana's distraction cost them a few minutes before they could try to start their telephonic spying. Which was more than enough for me to create a barrier she couldn't get through." Miss Martian might technically be the strongest telepaths on Justice League's ally list, but she was still inexperienced. She never had a chance against the user of the Sage Force.
"Now, I believe we must go home. She must be already waiting for us. The gears have started moving, isn't that exhilarating, Scandal?"
"Very much, sir."
As you've seen Harry has shown himself as a part of the business world along with his little offer to Luthor. Can't decide how I feel about that guy. He is always either too evil or a great hero. Dude can't come to us midway. Extremely human, that what that baldy is. Anyway hope you enjoyed it and please tell me your guesses on who our mysterious she can be and if you were surprised that I included Scandal Savage.
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