Sorry for the wait! I went through multiple drafts on this chapter.

Chapter 3

Even though it had only been a few hours since she had been in the room, Lois was starting to go stir crazy. Luthor had left a laptop for her with a few files he composed for her in case she wanted to learn more about the world's current situation.

Moving the arrow, she clicked on the first file. Text and pictures appeared on the screen. The first picture was of the ruins of Metropolis with the globe from the top of the Daily Planet building lying in the center of the image.

Her mind was blank at first, not quite comprehending what she was seeing. It wasn't her Metropolis, but it was Metropolis all the same.

Scrolling past, there was a brief paragraph about Superman killing the Joker.

She clicked on another file.

This one showed Superman revealing his identity to the world during a press conference. His face was haggard, but still handsome. His eyes made him look ancient. She stared at the picture for a few moments before moving on.

She took the time to remember each person that Superman had killed. Her chest felt tight and she felt like she was slowly starting to suffocate. If she stopped reading now, there was a high chance she wouldn't continue later.

When she had read the last file, she closed the laptop. Leaning back in her chair, she gazed at the ceiling. Again, the same set of questions went through her mind.

There was a knock before the door opened. She didn't change position.

"You looked at the files." Luthor's voice was soft. He went over and placed a hand on her shoulder. Lois returned to a normal sitting posture and turned her head towards him. Even though no words were said, she understood that the same things had run through his mind.

She put her right hand on his. "Did you come to check up on me?"

"Yes and I also came to tell you that I've informed my Batman about your arrival."

"I'm assuming he wants you to take me to him?"

"The few members from your Justice League are with him, too."

"I'm not sure how I feel about there being two Batman's in the same room."

"Your Batman is being held prisoner on Stryker's Island. He was mistaken as this world's Batman."

"What's going to happen to him?"

"His fate is undecided, for the moment."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Is there any way you could help him?"

"Unfortunately, no. I handle the scientific aspect of the Regime. There wouldn't be any possible reason why I would need to go there." She remained silent. "Before we leave, I suggest you put this on." Luthor held out a hat to Lois, along with a glasses case.

"You really aren't going to make me wear sunglasses too are you?" She took the hat from him and placed it on her head.

"If the sun was out, yes. However, wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day might draw some suspicion. That's why you'll be wearing regular glasses."

She raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "If it worked for Superman, it should work for anybody." He smiled and opened the door. She stopped to look in the mirror. "Can't say I ever pegged myself as the glasses wearing type." He waited until she was done adjusting before he led her through the mansion.

Not surprisingly, most of the help were robots in different shapes and sizes. As expected, Luthor had spared no expense in furnishing his home. It was tastefully done and without a hint of the other Luthor's arrogance. There were spaces on the walls where there had obviously been framed pictures, causing her to frown.

They went through another door that led to a large garage filled with cars from different decades. Luthor stood by a black sedan with tinted windows. Lois took one last look around before getting in the passenger's side. The seats were leather and the dashboard had been heavily modified.

He pressed a button, prompting the car to start. After pressing another button, the garage door opened.

When they got outside, she saw the lifeless Metropolis. The photograph of the ruined city flashed in her mind. She turned her head.

"So I'm assuming we aren't going to the Batcave." she said.

"No, Superman revealed Batman's identity to the world and declared him a non-person. Then he and the heroes that joined him ransacked the Batcave."

"I've been wondering. How does the Insurgency fight against the Regime? The Regime has people with powers." She couldn't bring herself to use the word 'superhero'.

"With this." He put his thumb on a scanner. It beeped and the glove box opened to reveal a small pill dispenser. She took it. "That is a pill made with kryptonian technology. It increases a person's strength and durability, making anyone able to fight on even footing with a superhero. It was originally supposed to be used only by the Regime, but Batman was able to get the data necessary to create his own." She stared at the pill. "I want you to have that."

"Why?"

"You've seen enough to know just how unpredictable the world can be. It's best to have it in case of an emergency."

"All right, then." She placed it in her pocket. "I really can't thank you enough for everything."

"There's no need to thank me."

As she was about to say something, a phone began ringing. Luthor tapped on his ear. "Hello Superman." he said. She stilled. "I'm currently out with a friend." She wasn't able to hear the voice on the other end. "Yes, I've made progress on the scanner. I'd be happy to show it to you when I return home." He pursed his lips. "I see. I'm on my way."

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Superman is getting impatient about the duplicates."

"You mentioned something about a scanner?"

"It's the device that led me to you. I created it with data Superman took from your Batman."

"What now?"

"Your meeting with Batman will have to wait."

"He definitely won't be happy to hear that."

"Superman will get suspicious if I put such a serious matter on hold." Luthor pulled into an empty side lot to turn around and head back to the mansion. A light began flashing on the dashboard. He pressed a few buttons. "I was just about to call you."

"What happened?" Batman's voice came over the car speakers.

"I have to return home to show Superman the scanner I've been working on."

"That's how you found Lois."

"Yes. With the current model, it can only detect across a city."

"What are you going to do about Lois?"

"She'll hide in the room I prepared for her. I can alter the scanner so it won't be able to detect her."

"Good." There was a slight pause. "How close are you to your mansion?"

"I'm driving up the hill now."

"I wanted to ask Lois a few questions, but it will have to wait for later. Contact me when you're done." The call ended as they pulled into the garage.

"Is he already here?" she asked as they got out of the car.

"No, he said he would wait until I ready which gives us time." Once in the mansion, he stopped. "Do you know your way back to the room?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'll come for you after we're finished." Luthor walked in the direction of his lab.