**Undisclosed Location**
In a darkened room, surrounded by monitors, one ominous figure stood, conferring with several figures before focusing on a three-way discussion with two particular individuals. The man in the room was tall, muscular, with long, dark hair and distinct scars on his face. On the outside, the man appeared to be no older than forty years old, but the man known as Vandal Savage had been alive for over 50,000 years.
Born Vandar Adg, Savage had been a Cro-Magnon warrior from the Blood Tribe, and had primarily inhabited what is now the island of Sumatra. One night, a strange meteor had landed near Vandar Adg's tribal settlements. In his curiosity, Vandar Adg approached the strange, glowing meteor, whose radiation had imbued him with enhanced strength, speed, durability, intelligence, and healing abilities which effectively rendered him immortal. Over the millennia, Vandar Adg had undergone many names and identities as a scientist, a laborer, a priest, an artist, a healer, a thief, but most often, a conqueror. While he had most often been known as Vandal Savage, it had been rumored that Savage had assumed the identities of Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, Genghis Kahn, and others. Savage had also claimed to be an advisor to the Roman emperor Nero, Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, and other notable historical figures in recent centuries.
Over his long life, Savage had amassed a fortune greater than any in human history. In the late 20th century and early 21st century, Savage had been made aware of the metahuman phenomenon; people either born with or somehow acquired unnatural abilities. Savage was not unfamiliar with the Olympian Gods, beings born with incredible power that were worshipped as deities by the ancient Greeks and Romans, nor was he surprised at the emergence of homo magi, a race of humans born with magical or reality-warping abilities derived from other dimensions. Such sorcery was often centered around the ancient kingdom of Atlantis, before it sank into the sea, giving birth to homo mermanus, which begat the seven underwater kingdoms of the long-hidden Atlanean continent. Savage had long suspected his immortality to be created by magic, but had also entertained the possibility that the meteor which granted him his unnaturally long life may have contained elements that were not from Earth.
Savage's suspicions grew with the arrival of Superman, later revealed to be a survivor of the planet Krypton, effectively ushering in the age of the superhero, as well as would-be conquerors from other worlds. Following the destructive Darkseid war, Savage recognized humanity was in chaos, and felt that a guiding hand was needed. Even with the protection of the Justice League and its allies against threats from other worlds, Savage felt that the League itself would not be enough to keep human beings from destroying themselves. For years, he had been following the activities of billionaire genius Lex Luthor, as well as the League of Shadows and their long-lived leader, Ra's al Ghul.
The balance of power had been drastically shifted in the wake of the Apokalips invasion. sensing the weakening of most of the world's governments, and the rise in individuals powerful enough to threaten the Justice League, the opportunity for Vandal Savage to unite the people of Earth under his rule seemed imminent. Savage knew that the time to act was now, and Luthor and Ra's al Ghul were the perfect like-minded individuals with which to consult.
"Welcome, my friends," Savage began, addressing the images of Luthor and Ra's, "I understand you both have information which could heavily lean in our favor. Luthor, from what I understand you have been scouting a great deal of disciples to our cause? It seems that your organization's involvement against the Apokaliptan attacks has worked out greatly in your favor. Public support seems to be trending your way, as has your economic footprint with most of the world's governments."
"That's a tremendous understatement, Vandal," Lex smugly replied, "Lexcorp has never been stronger. Even with the WayneTech/QCI merger, our efforts in reconstruction and global defense have not gone unnoticed. As you said, this has not gone unnoticed with regard to some of our more covert allies."
"With the right incentives, any criminal can become a loyal soldier," Ra's added, "Even the most unruly and chaotic among us can be manipulated under the right circumstances. I have to admit Luthor, your ability to persuade others to our cause is second to none."
"You flatter me, gentlemen. It's a skill I've utilized long before the aliens and metas were in the public eye," Luthor admitted, "Speaking of which…I have recently made contact with one of Superman's deadliest enemies. General Zod of Krypton, Superman's homeworld. I've offered the general a deal that will grant he and his followers safe passage off world in exchange for their abilities and scientific knowledge."
"Strange bedfellows, indeed, given your distaste for aliens in general, especially Kryptonians," Savage observed, "I was under the impression that Zod and his followers were still trapped in the Phantom Zone. They could be incredibly useful if you can find a way to keep them under control."
"What of the armies from Atlantis, or the Amazons from Themyscira?" Ra's asked, "To say nothing of the Justice League's allies from other worlds?"
"The kingdoms of Atlantis have historically wanted nothing to do with the surface, despite King Orin's involvement with the Justice League," Savage explained, "They are still recovering and rebuilding from the losses they suffered during the Apokalips War. They have more pressing concerns than uniting in another bloody conflict with the surface. The Green Lantern Corps' numbers have dwindled and they are scattered throughout the universe, the Thanagarians and the New Genesians are pompous cowards who could care less about Earth politics. If we can remove the Justice League, the Justice Society, the Titans, and any of their other splinter groups from the equation, we can keep this contained from any intergalactic entanglements."
"During the war, I learned there are all kinds of mercenaries, metas, scientists, sorcerers, witches, and even a few alien expats who hate the Justice League just as much as we do," Luthor interjected, "It took me years to find everyone and get them on the same page, but we are no longer outmanned and outgunned. We can finally put our plans into motion."
"It has already begun," Ra's informed Luthor and Savage, "Forgive me for not sharing this earlier, but the war has left the Batman vulnerable and I could not wait for your permission to capitalize. Operation Knightfall is the diversion we need if we are to succeed in removing the Justice League of its chief strategist and benefactor. The information I have now obtained from his most heavily-guarded case files will prove to be the key to our victory."
"You claim to have information vital to our plan, Ra's al Ghul," Savage stated, growing curious, "Under the circumstances, if we are to truly work together, now would be the time to enlighten us."
"I had agreed on a truce with the detective a decade ago out of respect for my daughter's wishes," Ra's began, "And because, despite our differing philosophies, I truly do respect the man. In all my years, I have never come across one so brilliant, resourceful, and tenacious as the Batman. Contrary to popular belief, he is unique in that he has no enhanced, superhuman abilities, and yet he is every bit as dangerous as his comrades in the Justice League. I take no pleasure in what must be done, but the Batman must not be allowed to interfere with our crusade. As a token of good faith, I would like to inform you that Batman is indeed Bruce Wayne."
Lex, in particular, took a moment to process this information. He couldn't help but smirk to himself; he had suspicions for years, but this had confirmed it.
"You know, for years, I had a feeling that he might be Wayne after all," Luthor chuckled to himself, "I couldn't definitively prove it though. In hindsight, it makes perfect sense. What else do you know, Ra's?"
"His case files reveal detailed secrets of the Justice League's surviving core members," Ra's explained, "Including weaknesses, secret identities, and methods with which to incapacitate or kill them. Wayne's case files are extensive, yet not every Justice League reserve member is accounted for. Still, without the primary players, the League will be at a great disadvantage."
"And your daughter, Talia," Savage inquired, "Has she any knowledge of what we are planning?"
"I can assure you she knows nothing," Ra's retorted, "For her own safety, and the safety of my grandson, they have been kept in the dark. The fewer who know of our plan, the more likely it will come to fruition. Plus, Talia would actively resist if she knew the lengths I would go to in order to remove Batman from the equation."