"And you just faked your own death?"

Lex stirred his coffee as he looked up at Norman, whose back was to him. "Yes." He removed the towel around his hair, and Lex saw that all the yellow hair dye had been washed out. "After my identity was exposed and I was assumed dead, I knew I had to flee town." He took the seat across from Lex again, smirking. "Imagine my surprise when I learned that my wife had cleaned my name by blaming my accomplice." He chuckled, shaking his head slightly.

For the past thirty minutes, Lex had heard Norman Osborn's life story. How he built up a company, how he got into a dispute with this weird Toomes guy and, most importantly, his life as the Green Goblin. According to Norman, he had taken something called 'Globulin Green' after being kidnapped by the aforementioned Toomes guy. Apparently, he had done so because he hated feeling helpless at the hands of another, saying that it made him look 'weak'. When he did take it, he decided to dress up as a... well, green goblin creature, and try to take over New York's criminal empire.

Lex didn't know what it was. If it was any other person talking about this stuff, he'd have them thrown out. But something about Norman intrigued him. The way he talked, the way he thought, and how he did such a good job in hiding his secret identity. He honestly fascinated him. Kind of reminded him of himself. A older him. Something he appreciated.

"Huh," Lex muttered, sipping his coffee. "Quick question: what was that 'Globulin Green' thing you mentioned?"

Norman blinked a few times. "Well, I can show it to you, if that helps." He reached into his pocket and placed a few dozen vials containing green gas in front of Lex, who raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm... thought the Green was a liquid."

"It can be," Norman replied. "But it's far more efficient in gaseous form. I took some samples with me when I came here, but I'll allow you two for study purposes, if you want to."

Lex stared up at him, which caused his smirk to grow wider. He slowly took two of the vials and pocketed them. There was still one more question he had, however.

"What do you actually want from me?"

Norman tented his fingers together. "I'm glad you asked, Luthor." He stood up. "You see, Oscorp's currently 'dormant' as a new heir is being chosen. And since I faked my death, I can't exactly just swoop in to take it back. Not yet, anyways."

Lex frowned. "What do you want me to do about it?"

Norman scoffed. "Oh, I have an idea. Before that, however, you can help me with taking back something else."

This caused Lex to stand up. "The criminal empire you mentioned?"

Norman laughed, patting Lex on the shoulder. "You're smart, kid. But yes." He looked out the window. "You see, I've running low on resources while laying low. So, what better place than LexCorp for getting the technology I need to succeed in my goals?"

Lex glared at him. "Look, Osborn. I don't know who you think I am, but I cannot, in good conscience, endorse a supervil-"

Norman spun around, now sporting a glare of his own. "Cut the sanctimonious act, Luthor. I know all about you." Before Lex could give a rebuttal, Norman pulled out a folder and slammed it onto the table. "Take a look inside."

Against his better judgment, Lex obliged, taking out a few of its contents. And what he saw stunned him. Somehow, this folder contained evidence for his... less legal activities. There was one photo of him paying off a reporter so that he wouldn't tell anyone about how he had been responsible for Metallo's creation. Another photo showed him shaking hands with a few mob bosses, remembering how he gave them the means to grow in Gotham. And another of him... getting his father a free liposuction. With the exception of the last one, he felt his blood run colder and colder. He stared back up at Norman, who still had that same damned smirk.

"How did you-" Lex hissed, finding that his words got caught in his throat before he could finish.

"I have friends in high and low places, Luthor." Norman moved over to him, taking the files and putting them away. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Your assets are too valuable to lose."

"Um..." Lex suddenly felt very unsafe. "Okay, then." He shook his head, trying to push the nervousness back into the corner of his mind. "But, what do you want me to do?"

"Simple." Norman folded his arms. "Like I alluded to: Lexcorp has some of the finest technology of its time. Hell, even I had just 5% of your offensive weapons you've been developing, I doubt anyone in New York could stand up to me."

Lex crossed his own arms, glowering at him. "Right. But, what about the whole company thing?"

This caused Norman's smile to become even smugger, something that Lex thought was impossible. "Simple. The story my wife's made up doesn't actually specify my death. Can't blame her, to be honest... But, just speaking hypothetically..." He walked up to him, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "What if you, Metropolis's golden boy, came out with an announcement? That you found me, Norman Osborn, saw me crawl onto flat ground after emerging from the sea, and nursed me back to health."

Lex tried to say something, but only air came out. Norman chuckled.

"I would then come out and spin my own narrative: how the Chameleon non-fatally, unbeknownst to my wife, stabbed me. How I made a boat to escape, not wanting to draw to much attention to myself, in fear of getting killed by Chameleon. And then..." Norman moved away, placing his hands behind his back. "Well, I can get my company back, as well as the criminal underground. And I'm sure you can develop something to make Chameleon totally loyal, as to keep my perfect alibi."

Lex's mind was running at a million miles an hour. Such a plan could be carried out. Metropolis believed everything he said. He theoretically could fulfil all of Norman's dreams. But...

Lex dusted himself off, changing his face to look authoritative. "Well, what's in it for me?"

Norman shrugged. "I heard you wanted Spider-Man's blood."

Lex wasn't surprised that he knew that. At this point, he wouldn't be surprised if he knew his favourite ice cream flavour. And yet, he couldn't fight the smile coming onto his face as he connected the dots.

"Are you suggesting that we work together to... eliminate this new guy?" When Norman nodded, Lex's smile grew wider. "And, per chance, could we also conspire to take out the Super Hero Girls of this city?"

"That's certainly possible." Norman grabbed a glass of wine from the table. "I know you've created Metallo, so do you think you could do it again?"

Lex placed his hands in his pockets. "Does the winged freak in Gotham have a thing for bats?" He pulled out a notebook. "I already have some in mind, all untraceable back to me."

"And I can help." Norman walked back up to him. "You know, I'm something of a scientist myself. Ever hear of Sandman? The Rhino? Doctor Octopus?"

It was funny. At the beginning of this little meeting, Lex felt unnerved and a little afraid. But now, he felt like his dreams and goals were right in front of him. The future already seemed set. The girls would be dead, Spider-Man's blood would be his, and he and his new partner would be on Cloud Nine.

Lex stuck his hand out. "I think we've got a deal, Mr. Osborn."

Norman's hand moved to his for a handshake. "I believe we do... my boy."


Babs had heard many superhero origins ever since she found her team. Besides her friends, she knew the origins of the Invinci-Bros, Superman, Katana, not Batman because she wasn't with him for long enough which kind of sucked... All of them intrigued her. She couldn't help it. It was her curiosity speaking, she guessed. Some were sad, some were pretty light, and, to be honest, they were all kind of rollercoasters.

This Peter guy's origin was a real rollercoaster. She and the other girls had been listening to him keenly as he explained everything. How he was bitten by a spider and gained superpowers. How he first used them to win a wrestling match.

How his uncle had been killed.

That part had caught her off-guard. The tragedy aspect of backstories always made her sad, and this was no exception. This part also seemed to affect the other girls. Jess, in particular, audibly gasped and Diana held Peter's hand as a form of comfort. He smiled at her, kind of a sad smile, but just continued with his story. He went over why he became Spider-Man, and all the trials and tribulations that came with it. He even talked about the stuff he went through with school, namely with Gwen Stacy, Liz Allan, and his former friend Harry Osborn.

"And now I'm here," Peter said, sitting up on the sofa.

Kara was the first to speak up. "Huh... that's a story if I've ever heard one."

Peter smirked. "Guess so." He placed his hands behind his head. "You guys seem to have gone through a lot, haven't you?"

The girls all nodded. They had told Peter their stories before he did. He was definitely intrigued by them, especially with the mentions of them fighting world-ending threats. Though, he evidently didn't believe that Babs had fought a guy called 'Condiment King'.

Presently, the boy stood up and looked around him. "Wow. You guys sure have a nice base."

Zee stepped forward, placing a hand on her chest. "Well, thank you! We've all cleaned it up."

Babs nodded. She was about to interject by saying when she built it when a thought crossed through her head. "Ooh!" Babs smiled. "Where's your secret hideout?"

Peter just turned to them, frowning slightly. "I... don't have one. I just... go around the place like a normal kid." He picked up a discarded newspaper and squinted. "Huh. Looks like you guys have a good reputation. Unlike me back home." He chuckled.

Diana walked up to him. "Are you referring to that 'Jameson' person? He doesn't sound too pleasant."

Peter smirked. "Try working for him."

"I'll pass."

The rest of the girls chuckled. "Okay," Karen said. "But, now I have one more question."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Being?"

Babs and the others looked at Karen as well, who was fiddling with her fingers. "Well... now what?"

Peter shrugged. "Well, I guess I go back up and tell no one about this." Then he squinted. "You guys won't tell anyone about this either, right?"

"Of course not," Jess responded. "Your secret is safe with us."

Peter smirked. "Good, good." Then he blinked. "Wait... where is the exit, exactly?"

Babs scoffed, folding her arms. "Oh, simple! It's just behind that-"

"Hey, girls?"

Zee's voice caught their attention, even Peter's. They all walked over to her to see what she was looking it. A news reporter was standing outside the Lexplorium.

"We are here at the Lexplorium, which is currently being raided by the Super Villain Girls," the reporter said. "All officers that have been sent in have been defeated, and the villains show no sign of stopping."

The girls all looked at each other. "Well..." Zee's hands glowed purple. "I was going to be doing a magic show, but this'll have to come first." The rest of the girls started getting out their outfits.

"Hey, wait!"

They all stopped, turning to look at Peter, who was now standing behind the sofa.

"Um... what?" Kara asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I was just wondering if..." He smirked. "You needed assistance."

This made Kara roll her eyes. "Look, dude. We can handle this on own o-"

"Of course!" Diana interrupted. "The more help, the better!"

Peter's smirk grew into a grin. "Cool. Lemme just..." He grabbed his blue t-shirt and... took it off.

Babs looked away. "Dude! Privacy is impor..."

Then she looked back. He was now wearing his hero outfit's top.

"I wear it underneath my actual clothes," Peter clarified.

Babs smiled. "Ooh, good thinking! That means you're never unprepared!"