Once again Lex Luthor found himself doing his favourite activity: watching his future kingdom swarm underneath him. He stood at the window staring at the people below Lex Corp Tower like a vulture overlooking a dead body. He placed his hands on the glass and pulled his lips into a smile. One day this will all be mine. The bald man was distracted from his dreams when his phone rang loudly. He threw down his hands and snatched the handset off the desk. "Luthor, this better be good," he warned whoever was on the other end of the line.

"Oh it is Mr Luthor. There's been a crash in Smallville, Kansas," spoke a distorted voice.

"Go on, I'm listening," Lex said, taking a seat in his leather seat.

"Two men, both critically injured. One of the name John Corben, whose heart has failed twice already and has a good chance of falling into a coma." John Corben was a military man. In his very early thirties, he had served in Iraq and Afganistan under General Lane. In his leave from service, he volunteered as a scout for Metropolis Sharks football team as he had a driving passion for the sport. Had it not been for his desire to serve his country, Corben could have gone professional. Instead he had selected the army and while he didn't know it yet, he had just been picked by Sam Lane for his most dangerous mission yet: to become the husband of his daughter Lois.

"I've heard of him, he's perfect for Project: Metallo. If my sources are correct, it sounds like we'll be saving him from hell by dragging him from the clutches of Miss Lane." Lex laughed at his own little joke as the voice sat patiently. "What about the other man?" Lex urged.

"Victor Stone is 21 years old in his final year of college. He was Corben's passenger, having just had a trail for the aforementioned Sharks. He's top quality, from what I understand, he was getting an offer to play quarter back. Not to mention that he attained straight As through high school. The guy's a genius. Guess the Holy Mary pass is going to be a little harder now. His arm was almost severed in the accident and half of his skin was scorched by burning fuel."

"Stick him in Project: Regeneration. It'll be interesting to see how the synthetic metal plays with his arm." Lex stood and grabbed his coat. He strode out the door and waited for the lift. "Thank you for the call, the payment will be made as normal," he finished, snapping the phone shut.

The lift arrived and the genius stepped inside and selected the basement. Lex had been interested in the sciences since he was a small boy. The idea that the combination of a couple of elements could create something that could give a man such power fascinated him. One element had taken his eye in particular: Kryptonite. It had only appeared just over two decades ago but since then it had been the heart of most of his endeavours. If these projects were pulled off, they would mark the beginning of a journey that would evolve the human race. Such advancements may be needed if men like Superman were wriggling out of the woodwork. The lift reached the basement and Lex got out and clambered into a waiting limo. Superman. Lex still hadn't figured out a way to talk to the vigilante. He was the kind of man that the son of Lionel Luthor wanted as an ally. Lex looked out the window at the citizens of Metropolis as his limo sped through the traffic, not having to worry about speeding fines for the traffic department had been dealt with. Lex called his leading henchman on his mobile. "Have you got the patients?" He snarled, anxious now to secure his investments.

"Yeah, they're at the complex. Shall we wait for your arrival to begin?"

"Delay Project: Regeneration till I arrive. I want to see the metal form with my own eyes. Start Project: Metallo. That is only surgery and therefore is child's play to me."

"Yes sir," the voice replied before hanging up. Lex sat back in his seat. He would arrive in half an hour. He shut his eyes and let his brilliant mind start to roam. Presently, he was about to step forward into a new age of humanity. For now, however, he let his brain think about future plans and aspirations.

xxXxx

Batman swooped down and landed at the end of the dark alley that contained his Batmobile. Then he stopped dead. Selina. He placed his hand on his ear once more and spoke:

"Alfred, where's the Batmobile?"

"Had a little too much to drink sir?" The old Brit quipped, enjoying his little joke.

"Now's not the time. Who knows what Selina Kyle could do. She's resourceful."

"So I've heard sir." Batman sighed, he knew that his butler was enjoying this.

"Can you just tell me where she is?"

"Are was talking about the car or the girl sir?" This time Alfred laughed. Batman simply smiled on the other side, not wanting to give his estranged butler the satisfaction.

"The car, she would never leave something so potentially valuable lying around."

"Turns out she's returned it home sir. How did she do it?"

"She must have initiated the procedure put in place in case I ever get injured."

"When you get injured, sir. I presumed that you kept those codes to yourself."

"Like you said Alfred, she's resourceful." Batman tapped his comm again to end the conversation and released his grapple hook into the night sky. Certainly a less glamorous way to travel...

Author's note: Wheyy I finally got Internet! As a sort of celebration I decided to upload this. Thanks for reading and I know it's annoying when people ask for reviews but they are really nice to receive. I didn't get any for the last couple of chapters and feedback would be gratefully accepted. Thanks again!

Ps: Jeeesus, just read through this as a check up and realised that I hadn't edited it before posting. Simply awful mistakes! That's just embarrassing...