The World's Greatest Superheroes..... IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME
JLA #15 - April, Year 2	by Curt Fernlund

Part 5: Ten Minutes Over Metropolis

LexCorp Tower- Metropolis:
6:27 a.m. EST

Lex Luthor pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut, trying to get them to focus once again and to relieve the growing strain he was starting to feel. He had been at work for over an hour already, and up an hour before that, showering and shaving after his morning workout, eating a quick breakfast in the back of his limousine while he perused the daily stack of reports and invoices that needed his attention. He had separated the sizable ream of paperwork; those things that required a simple signature from those that needed a quick read through. There were even three that needed a thorough reading, the legalese being more than a casual skim would allow.

He sat at his vast desk- the shorn stump of one of the West Coast's great Redwoods, a huge vain display of his own industrial importance. It had been the first of a dozen such trees that he had ordered cut down in a multi-million dollar arrangement with Japanese investors. Luthor himself had felled this first tree, simply to say that he had done it, to show his superiority over nature itself. He had spent hours sanding and lacquering the behemoth, leveling its base by sheering away at the roots. He had learned the finer techniques of carpentry, hollowing the base of the stump, installing drawers and cabinets, insetting his personal computer and monitor screens. It had taken over a year, done only in his extremely limited spare time, but it had been worth it. It had been relaxing, and in the end had given Luthor a feeling of self-accomplishment that he had rarely equaled. Papers were organized into neat piles across the vast, glazed expanse of the desktop as he scanned the current takeover bid for a lesser company based in Albany, New York. It was tedious work, but necessary. It was hard running the greatest corporation in the world, and there was no one that he would trust the final decision to of even the slightest business deal. It was long, hard work, even for the greatest mind of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, but it had to be done.

Luthor scanned the whys and the wherefores, logging all parties into their proper place in his memory as he recalled the various laws that came into affect with the current buyout in question. He had the utmost faith in the lawyers on payroll for LexCorp, but still he went over their presentation with his own style and finesse. They knew that if they made a mistake that their jobs- at the very least- would be forfeit. Luthor had the proper connections in the proper circles to make even the best of them penniless paupers without a name and never, ever able to practice law again. They were paid well, as all of his employees were, to do their jobs to the best of their abilities and then some. By rights, Luthor should not have to bother himself with the tedious day to day banality of running his company, but with the same respect that he trusted his employees to do their jobs, he trusted no one to do their jobs to his expectations.

There was only one Lex Luthor, after all- the greatest criminal mind of our time.

Luthor took a sip of coffee as he marked red lines through a somewhat untidy bit of words in the contract before him. He could see the potential loophole that might cost him thousands of dollars, and if he could see it, it was not outside the realm of possibility that someone else might as well. It was not the money, of course- he had billions. It was the principal. Luthor did not like to lose. He made a mental note to terminate the legal aid that had investigated that particular passage, and decided that the actual lawyer that had written the contract needed a reprimand as well. Perhaps a relocation; somewhere warm and southerly where the people did not speak English. It would give the attorney a chance to reevaluate his native tongue as it pertained to his job.

Lex Luthor felt the hackles on the back of his neck rise and knew in an instant that he was being watched even before he glanced up. He sighed, staring at the now familiar shadow that danced across the far wall, the flickering, muscular silhouette with the long cape flapping in the breeze. Calmly he put away his paperwork, making sure that nothing was out to be blatantly seen. The laws that he had funded to discount x-ray vision as legally binding were still bogged down in the Supreme Court, but why take chances. It had cost a small fortune to refurbish his desk with a lead lining, but it had been money well spent. Once his work was in an orderly fashion, Luthor pressed a series of buttons on the keyboard inlaid into his desktop. It had been a hard decision to deface the desk for convenience sake, but his victory was in acquiring the redwood, making it the base of operations of one of the greatest leaders of the past century and the next as well.

Light washed through his vast offices as the sunscreens built into the wide array of windows faded away at his command. The sun's rays sparkled off of Luthor's more personal possessions on display for those select few people that passed through the two huge reinforced doors at the far end of the office; an ivory statue from China's Second Dynasty carved in the image of some forgotten priestess, a set of ceremonial masks from the South American Aztecs said to have magical properties, his degrees and writs, his alleged first dollar framed in platinum. The overhead fluorescents dimmed as the morning light intensified, sensors keeping the inner ambiance to a level that Luthor preferred. Vivaldi diminished in the background as an outside intercom crackled to life, installed for this very contingency.

Slowly, calmly Luthor swiveled his leather chair about, casually crossing his legs and smoothing the crease in the pants. He steepled his fingers and finally looked up. The sun was just cresting the skyline of his city, the taller buildings in the distance little more than blurred shadows framed in the specially treated plasti-steel glass of his windows. Luthor smiled at that, having taken the specifics of the ignorant Martian's designs for his own through a bit of legal chicanery not unlike that which he was guarding against just moments before. The glass polymer was strong- strong enough to withstand the pressures of the ocean's depths or the void of space itself. Luthor knew that it would not stop him however, though it might give him pause.

Lex Luthor tapped his fingers together as he stared coolly at the man hovering in midair outside of his office window. He had to admit that the man was handsome enough, in his own way and despite his origins. Luthor had always hated the gaudy reds and blues of his costume- they were too much like, but not quite the colors of America- and he did not like that either. For him to be almost draped in the flag of Luthor's country was almost a blasphemy. He hovered there, high above the city streets, seeming so far above those that he alleged to serve and protect. His cloak flapping in the chill morning breeze. His hair whipping about. His arms were crossed and a scowl twisted his usually chiseled countenance. Something had annoyed him. Good!

"What do you want, alien?"

Luthor rarely if ever called the Man of Steel by the idiotic, contemptuous title he had chosen for his career as self-appointed protector of Earth. He hated the man. He always had, and he refused to give him even the slightest respect that was not his due. The man was not even a man in the traditional sense. He was an alien, born on some backwater world galaxies away. One of many, and more it seemed every day.

"It's over, Luthor!" The Man of Steel stared through the hard, thin glass, his eyes icy cold daggers trying to pierce Luthor's defenses. His lips barely seemed to move, but Luthor heard him easily over the speakers set into the walls, the outer omni-microphones picking up the alien's slightest whisper.

"Over?" Luthor half-laughed. "What in god's name are you talking about?"

The Metropolis Marvel grimaced as though he had just bitten into something sour. He thrust his finger forward to emphasize whatever point he was about to make. Luthor chuckled.

"I don't know just how you did all of this, Luthor-" Luthor glanced about the confines of his office.

"All of what? You're babbling, alien. Get to the point! I'm a busy man."

"This, Luthor!" Superman spread his arms wide to encompass not only Luthor's office but also the LexCorp Tower itself. "This building! This façade that you've erected to make yourself look legitimate. How did you do it? Some hypno-ray device to make everyone think that you were a businessman? Did you taint the Metropolis water supply with some mesmerizing potion that you concocted? Where did you steal the money from this time, Luthor? How'd you manage to build this so quickly, and under my very nose?"

Luthor blinked incredulously. What was the alien talking about? The LexCorp Tower had been erected decades ago, long before the Man of steel had even appeared in Metropolis. And what was the nonsense about a hypno-ray and tainting the water supply? Who did the alien think he was talking to, the Joker?

"I don't have the slightest idea as to what you're going on about, alien, but you must realize that I'm recording this entire conversation. You're bordering on slander already. I'd suggest you take your insanity elsewhere, before I call the authorities." Luthor swiveled his office chair back beneath his desk. A thin smile crossed his lips to hear the Kryptonian's sharp intake of breath at his contempt for the Man of Steel's authority.

Lex Luthor felt the heat rising on the back of his neck and scalp as he bent back down to retrieve his work from the desk. A red glow filled his office even as he looked up, realizing that the alien had not been gasping in astonishment as he had first thought. Luthor leapt to his feet and dove forward, sliding across the vast expanse of the smooth desktop, hearing the glass behind him beginning to crack with the abrupt shift in temperature. He slipped over the far side of the redwood stump and curled up on his knees, protecting his head with his arms and jacket as the wide windows suddenly shattered.

Luthor felt the wave of frigid cold as it washed through the room. Shards of glass tinkled and shattered against the hard, marble floor now thick and slippery with a thin layer of frost. Lex Luthor shivered as the cold swirled about him, the lingering effects of the alien's Super Breath blowing through the room. The Kryptonian had super-heated and then super-cooled the glass so quickly that it had first expanded then contracted, then exploded unable to handle the strain. Luthor cursed, quite sure that the alien could hear him as he waited for the storm of broken glass to subside.

When all fell silent again Lex Luthor stood, slipping out of his Armani suit jacket and shaking away the tiny slivers that still clung to his clothes. He was furious, but he did his best to conceal his rage. He would not show weakness before the alien, his most hated rival in the city that was his empire. When he finally deigned to look at the trespassing hero, he found the alien closer than before, floating within the remains of his very office. Luthor smiled-

"Breaking and entering, alien? Perhaps reckless endangerment? How many people were injured in the shower of glass when it finally reached the streets?"

"It's early, Luthor, and I thought of that. I am Superman after all. No one was hurt, but I'm surprised that you even care."

"Of course I care you over-rated buffoon!" Luthor snapped, striding around his desk and stalking towards the shattered remnants of his window. He glanced down at the streets far below and saw that the inner-building security forces were already clearing the area at street level. "This is still my town, no matter what you think."

"Wrong, Luthor!"

Lex Luthor gasped as the Man of Steel swept upon him in a blur of speed too fast for the eye to follow. Luthor felt his weight shift as the alien scooped him up easily with one arm by the collar and swung him out of the hole in his building to dangle him high over the streets. Lex Luthor had no fear of heights, and he knew that for all of his inadequacies, the Man of Steel did not kill, but still a wave of momentary fear washed through him and he paled. It took all of his will to steel his suddenly unsteady nerves, to slow his pounding heart.

"Metropolis is my city, and I will not let you corrupt her. I don't know what scheme you have going this time, but it ends here and now! By the authority vested in me by the City of Metropolis and the President of the United States, I hereby place you under arrest!"

Luthor choked, trying to breathe around the alien's strangling grasp. "On what- charges!" he spat, indignant to the last.

Superman smirked. "I'll let the police read you the long and proper list, Lex, as it would take too long to recite here even with super speed. I'll start with evading custody, as the last I recall you were safely away in the Federal Penitentiary upstate. Breaking out of prison is against the law, Lex. I assume you have your rights memorized by now?"

"Even if he doesn't, Superman, we do. Put Luthor down!"

Superman recognized the voice even as he turned. He had heard their approach, even though they had tried to remain silent. He was glad for the help, even though he did not need it. He had expected Luthor to put up a fight of some kind, perhaps donning his powered armor suit, and was happily surprised- if not confused- when his archenemy feigned innocence and ignorance. Still, when he saw the grim and astonished circle of faces on those that approached, his own smile quickly vanished.

"The Justice League!"

Superman heard Luthor's chuckle and whisper-

"You're in for it now, I think."

Part 6: Time Waits For No Superman

LexCorp Tower- Metropolis:
6:37 a.m. EST

They hovered in mid-air, hundreds of feet above the busy, bustling streets of Metropolis. The city was just coming awake in all its glory. Far below the uppermost floors of the LexCorp Tower the citizens of Metropolis were just starting their workday, rushing from homes to offices, urging their cars into the slow flow of traffic, making their way down into the subways that crisscrossed like a spider's web beneath the city streets. There were few residents of the city of tomorrow that had not caught the slightest glimpse of their protector at one point in their daily lives. Fewer still did not glance up and about, marveling at the vast towers of steel and glass that scraped at the sky, piercing the clouds and reaching for the stars. The crowds moved along the streets, going through their daily grind, more or less accustomed to the strange world that spun by just out of reach far overhead. Still, it seemed that there was always one in every crowd…

"Look! Up in the sky!"

Superman heard the familiar words and wanted to smile again- and why not? He had just captured the man that was arguably- despite his lack of super powers- his greatest living foe. Lex Luthor dangled at the end of his muscular arm, the Kryptonian's great strength easily supporting the evil scientist's weight. He ignored the fact that Luthor seemed younger and trimmer. He ignored that the man seemed to reek of wealth and power, rather than a narrow-minded, egotistical obsession. All part of whatever grand scheme he had unleashed to get revenge on the Man of Steel for that accident that had twisted the great, benevolent mind so many years ago. Superman ignored Luthor's twisting and squirming, his foul taunts even as he tuned out the words of awe drifting up from the people gathering on the street far below. The police were on the scene already, and the fire department was coming quickly, ready to contain the crowd and move them out of harm's way. That was good, as the Man of Steel apparently had other problems to occupy his attention.

They hovered in mid-air, hundreds of feet above the busy, bustling streets. His greatest friends and allies, his fellow members of

The Justice League of America!

Or were they?

Superman recognized them all, or at least who they appeared to be-

Diana floated there, riding the air currents as the Amazons of Paradise Island had taught her. She actually appeared to be flying; she had mastered the art so well. She held her magical golden lasso in hand, one end looped and twitching slightly as she eyed him cautiously. She was as young and beautiful as ever, a gift from her gods that had also granted her great strength and immortality of a sort. She had apparently gotten her powers back, and abandoned the old, blind China Man that had become her mentor. Oddly with whatever had returned her to power, she seemed even younger than Kal El remembered, and there was something different about her costume as well, though he could not quite place what exactly.

There was something different about the Batman as well. His costume appeared- darker- more sinister and armored. The golden circle that he had adapted about the stylized bat symbol that emblazoned his chest some years back was still in place, but his uniform more closely resembled the one he had worn when he had first appeared save for the lack of the side arm, thankfully. Even his face appeared grimmer, not that Batman was ever a congenial hero. Still Superman knew that the man could smile on occasion. Kal El saw no sign of friendship in the Gotham Gladiator's scrutinizing gaze.

The Batman crouched on an emerald disk that hovered at the end of a glowing green tether. Superman traced the long line of energy back to the source, the ring of his friend the Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814, Hal Jordan. Superman blinked, almost gasped, however, to find that it was not Hal Jordan, or even Alan Scott that was bearing the fabled ring of the Guardians of the Universe. It was a boy-

Like Batman, the youth appeared to be wearing some form of trim body armor of black and white and green, the colors of the Green Lantern Corp. Superman knew that the costume and mask were constructs of the ring, which was an ancient construct in its own right, a blend of scientific technology and arcane magic. The ring created whatever the wielder might envision into a form of solid light that was as strong as the bearer's will power could support. The costume and even the floating disk on which the Batman stood was the simplest result of the ring's slightest power. The ring of any Green Lantern was potentially the most powerful weapon ever created, depending of course on the will and imagination of the bearer. Superman had seen Jordan create huge, world-encompassing devices; everything from oversized boxing gloves to gargantuan jackhammers.

Hal Jordan had been dubbed the greatest Green Lantern of all time by his peers in the Corp and his mentors as well, and Superman had to wonder just who this boy was, and how he had come to gain one of the most fantastic weapons ever created. He appeared to be barely out of his teens, and though he put on a masque of bravery, Superman could see sweat trickling from beneath his true mask. He was nervous and hanging back a bit behind the others. He did not seem afraid, but nervous, though in spite of that, Superman did not see the power of the ring faltering in any manner. The Guardian's had appointed a worthy replacement it seemed, not unlike John Stewart or even Guy Gardner before his crippling injury. And the Justice League had apparently accepted him as well, which was good enough for the Man of Steel, in theory.

Even harder to accept than the boy in the Green Lantern garb was the fourth member of this quartet of the League. Superman had not seen J'onn J'onzz, the Manhunter from Mars in years. The last that he had heard was that the Martian was still residing on New Mars with the remnants of his people. Yet here he was, as grim and stoic as ever. As grim as the others appeared to be. Of the four, the Martian Manhunter appeared to have physically changed the least, if at all. Appearances of course were often deceiving where Martians were concerned, however.

The Man of Steel returned his attention to the Batman who had stood up on the Green Lantern's floating platform and was now pointing a small, handheld device at him. A quick glance with his X-ray vision revealed the device to be some sort of medical scanner constructed with an incredibly advanced technology. Superman suspected that the device was of Martian design and origin, since J'onn J'onzz had constructed most of the League's hardware- from their weapons and security systems to the teleporter that they all used to frequent the Justice League Satellite circling the Earth in geosynchronous orbit just at the edges of near space. It appeared harmless however, bathing the Metropolis Marvel in a series of light waves shifting the full range of the color spectrum. He watched as the Caped Crusader finally clicked off the device with a puzzled frown and slipped it into one of the many pouches of his utility belt. Superman smiled-

"Satisfied, Batman? You seem a little confused." The grim mask instantly slipped back across the Masked Manhunter's face as the Batman stared at him with concern. He shifted his weight ever so slightly, just enough that no one who did not see the world spinning by with super speed would not have noticed. Kal El noted that his friend kept one hand hidden behind him still, within the voluminous folds of his cloak. Too, he saw the Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman drifting off to the sides, just beyond the edges of his peripheral vision. Even the boy in the Green Lantern garb edged away, though he kept the Batman's floating platform steady and in place.

"Concerned, I think would be a more accurate description, Superman. And I won't be satisfied until you put Lex Luthor down as I asked, safely within his office preferably."

Superman briefly scanned the quartet with his X-ray vision, just long enough to investigate their substance. He did not wish to harm them, even though he knew the brief flash of radiation would not affect the Martian or the Amazon, and he suspected that the Guardian's ring would protect the boy as well. The Batman however, despite his prowess and abilities was still only human. His special sight revealed nothing however. He did not recognize the boy, but J'onn and Diana were who they appeared to be; the Martian’s unique DNA glaring and Diana's body the paragon of perfection that she had been created to be. And it was indeed Bruce Wayne behind the Batman's cowl. Superman knew the Batman and his alter ego- Bruce Wayne- as well as he knew his closest friends at the Daily Planet. He could recognize the man's heartbeat and fingerprints. On a smaller scale he knew the Batman's retina pattern and could isolate his human DNA as he could the Martian's. There were so many ways to prove that a man was who he claimed to be, and this man was indeed Bruce Wayne. A seemingly younger version to be sure however, like Diana, and that puzzled him.

There were several explanations of course, and Superman's great mind quickly sorted through his innumerable encounters, sifting through his vast array of memories to isolate the most likely solution. His first best guess was that this was all some plot that had sprung from the twisted genius of Lex Luthor. How many times had Luthor managed to alter the very fabric of reality to do his bidding? Perhaps these were clones of some sort, strange creations like Bizarro under Luthor's influence. Maybe his first instinct had been correct, and Luthor had invented some type of mind control device that was not only enslaving the populace of Metropolis and the League, but altering his own perceptions as well. There could be an alien influence like Starro the Conqueror or Despero-

Superman realized that there was also the possibility that he had somehow been transferred to some strange alternate reality. He had encountered a vast number of parallel dimensions in his career, worlds that were all but identical to his own adopted planet but slightly out of synch with the reality he knew. How many Earths had he encountered, populated with strange versions of the League such as the Justice Society of America or the Crime Syndicate? How many alternate timelines existed, branching off from his own by a simple change of plans- a path not taken?

The possibilities were endless it seemed, but in the space of a heartbeat his Meta-advanced mind calculated them all. Unfortunately it left him with more questions than answers. He knew that Luthor was probably involved somehow, was probably at the root, but he could not prove it. He felt a scratching at his mind and turned his attention on the Martian, recognizing the half-forgotten feeling.

He saw the concentration on J'onzz's countenance as he probed at the Man of Steel's thoughts. The Martian was focused on breaking through the Kryptonian's mental barriers, trying desperately to read his mind. Superman was surprised that J'onzz was having such a hard time of it, as the man he remembered was one of the most talented and powerful mentalists on the planet. Another mystery- one of too many that he could not quite get a handle on.

His friends were in formation, ready to attack, but despite the differences in them from what he remembered, the Man of Steel did not want to fight. He stared long and hard at Batman, his oldest friend in the Justice League-

"This is Luthor, Batman!" he said as though perhaps the Caped Crusader might finally realize that fact with a little prompting. "You know as well as I do how truly evil he is."

"I know." Batman nodded, and the Man of Steel saw his frown deepen. "Nevertheless, Superman, he's served his time. Lex Luthor is not a wanted criminal, despite what we know."

Superman knew then and there that despite appearances, whatever was going on that Luthor was the one in true control. Batman's heartbeat had not altered. His eyes stayed straight and true, meeting Superman's gaze. The Gotham Guardian truly believed what he had said. He truly believed that Lex Luthor was not a wanted man. Superman turned his gaze to the Martian-

"J'onn?" The Martian Manhunter nodded-

"It is true my friend. Luthor is not the criminal here."

He did not need the Martian to elucidate. They all considered him to be the one that was breaking the law. He could see the concern in Diana's face. He could see the worry in the boy's eyes as he strengthened his personal shield. Somehow Luthor had convinced them all that he was some kind of benevolent businessman. Superman sighed-

He dropped Luthor, brusquely if safely, to the marbled tiles of his office, ignoring the man's cursing as he skidded across the slick floor. Superman knew that he had to get away, had to take the time to figure out exactly what had happened. He had to determine just how his world had changed.

"Kal…" He glanced up at the soft voice and saw the Amazon princess floating closer. She appeared to be truly flying and not riding the air currents as he had first assumed. Her invisible plane was nowhere in sight.

"Superman. Come with us. Let us help you."

"There's nothing wrong with me, Wonder Woman. It's you rather that Luthor has fooled. I'm not quite sure how exactly, but I intend to find out." They were inching closer he could tell. Minutely, but just enough, trying to cut off his escape. He was no fool-

"Up, up and away!"

The Batman watched as the violet streak that was Superman's wake flickered and vanished in the distance. He watched Wonder Woman turn away, and then J'onzz a second longer as the Man of Steel vanished from their enhanced sight as well. He saw the glow of Rayner's ring and knew that the Green Lantern was tracking the Kryptonian as ordered. Batman turned to the Martian-

"Where?"

J'onn J'onzz stared at Batman, his gaze flicking towards Luthor as the man stood at the far side of his massive desk, watching.

"North!" he said, watching Luthor in return. He knew that the man was paying attention to all that they said or did despite his outward indifference. "Perhaps we should leave-"

"Follow him!" the Batman ordered. Before the Martian could respond he saw the Dark Knight tense and leap, spiraling through the air uncaring and confident, hundreds of feet above the ground from the safety of the Green Lantern's floating platform. He landed within the confines of Luthor's offices, casually turning his back on the man to confront his friends once again.

"I want to know where he goes, J'onn. Obviously we weren't expecting him to go north. Follow him and find out what's there. Wonder Woman! You and the Lantern go to his… base. See if he shows up there. He should, eventually." Wonder Woman nodded, floating closer to Green Lantern.

"Of course." She whispered something and she and the Green Lantern disappeared in a contained storm of flickering bursts of light. The Batman looked to the Martian then and without another word the Manhunter from Mars faded from sight, turning invisible and flying away at super speed. Batman turned to face Luthor and found the man sliding his chair into place at his desk. He reached for the intercom, but Batman grabbed his wrist-

"I wouldn't if I were you, Luthor."

"Luckily, rodent, I am not you. You're assaulting me I hope you realize. And trespassing-" Luthor scowled, but the Batman only tightened his grip until the businessman moved his hand away from the intercom's buttons.

"I'll be trespassing for another moment, Luthor, so bear with me. And don't worry about recording this. My white sound scrambler is distorting any audio recordings, and a magnetic pulse has already fouled your computers enough to wipe the videos clean." The Batman got some satisfaction from seeing Lex Luthor redden with silent rage.

"You'll pay for this!" Luthor spat. "I'll call the mayor! The president! I'll have the Metropolis SCU after your Boy Scout so fast that your pointy cowl will spin!"

"I don't think so, Lex." Batman allowed a smirk to cross his lips. "I still have my dossier."

"So you say, rodent! I've yet to see-"

"Suicide Slum, April 25, last year! I think the police would be interested in the actual source of the funds used to demolished the Simon Housing Projects to make way for the extended overpass to the East Side Parkway."

"That's absurd! I had nothing to do with that!" Batman saw Luthor lick his lips, saw the slight aversion of his gaze.

"I have documents linking Terrance Construction to LexCorp, Luthor. It's a long, convoluted trail, but it ends with your signature. And that's the least of what I have. It's not enough to send you to jail, granted. But it is enough to take a bite out of your wallet. A big enough bite that even your inflated ego would feel it. And the bad press would cripple you for a time until you got it all sorted out and buried. Your pristine Metropolitan image would be tarnished Luthor, if not for forever, at least long enough to make it inconvenient. I'd estimate three wasted years trying to get out from under all the red tape that I could lay down. Is that what you want, Luthor? All it would take is a phone call…"

Luthor seethed, but the Batman could see that he was considering. He knew that Luthor wanted nothing more than to see Superman dead at the most, and ruined in the least. Lex Luthor was a businessman however, and despite his darker tendencies, he still had an image and empire to run. He was no fool. It was simply a matter of what he wanted more, revenge or power.

"Fine!" Luthor snarled, ripping his hand from the Dark Knight's grip and slamming his fist onto the top of his massive desk. Batman noticed that nothing moved at all, despite the force of the man's blow. "Fine, Batman. You win for now. I will not press charges. I will receive your dossier by the end of the day, however."

"Part of it Luthor. The part I mentioned. I believe that Superman could weather your charges without my help, but why bother. Your good graces in this instance are hardly worth the reams of information that I have on you."

Luthor grimaced. "You're dead, detective!"

Batman pulled a small gun-like device from beneath the folds of his cloak and pointed it out the window. There was an explosion of compressed air, small and mostly silent, and Luthor saw a slim cable vanishing into the distance as it spewed from the gun.

"I know, Lex." Batman tugged on the line as it stopped extending, testing its strength to support his weight. "I've been dead for a long, long time."

Lex Luthor watched as the Dark Knight leapt from the gaping hole in the side of his building and vanished between the towers on the far side of the street into the glare of dawn. He flicked a button on his desk and immediately saw the two radio devices that the Batman had casually planted in the office start to glow. He plucked them up, one by one, and crushed them between his fingers imagining that they were the Batman himself. He reached again for the intercom-

"Miss Tessmacher!" he said, awaiting her response in a crackle of static. He would need to have his computer overhauled again, he noted.

"Get Maintenance up here immediately! And Security as well! There's been a breech."

Lex Luthor clicked off his intercom and casually gathered his papers. He needed to finish his work but knew that his concentration had been broken and was now lost. In the end he settled back in his plush leather chair and tried to relax. He had much to consider. Much to contemplate.

There were so many people that he needed to get even with. So many people to be taught a lesson.

So much to do and so little time...

NEXT ISSUE: J’onn J’onzz Vs. Superman! How great is that?

If I Could Turn Back Time continues...