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Present Day…

In his office of Wayne Tower, right in the middle of Gotham City, Bruce Wayne waited for his ‘Metropolis appointment’ to arrive. He sat at his desk while overlooking the latest incomes, finance issues, budgets, and all other manner of businesses the rich C.E.O. types handled. As he dealt with this there was a T.V. screen on displaying recent news from Gotham itself.

Reporter Vicky Vale spoke about how Wayne Enterprises was busy reconstructing some of the more destitute and run-down sections of Gotham in a relief effort for the city. From there it went into sports where talk about the Gotham Rouges upcoming football playoff game with the Opal City Stars and eventually more reports about the vigilante known as Batman and his recent captures of Arkham Asylum escapee Jervis Tetch a.k.a. the Mad Hatter after abducting Police Commissioner Gordon’s very own daughter Barbara and several other children.

Bruce only half paid attention to the news until the last report had come up. Seeing the image of the Mad Hatter strung up for the police to find while little Barbara was reunited with her father brought a comforting smile to his face. Given all that transpired the night before, he still feeling sore enough to remember, it was good things turned out as well as they did.

“Mr. Wayne?” a voice from his intercom on his desk spoke up. “Your 12:30 is on his way.”

He responded with “Thanks, Sandra. Hold the rest of my calls.”

Once he finished talking with his receptionist Bruce Wayne turned his seat towards the window behind him. He looked out to the nearby landing pad attached from one of the nearby doors all the way to a stretch a few feet out. He stood when he spotted something arriving from the distance. He squinted his eyes as the closer it came the more obvious as to what and who it was became.

Bruce stepped outside and waited a good distance away from the landing pad as it came closer and closer. Not a bird. Not a plane. Instead a large black helicopter made its way towards Wayne tower.

It took a moment for it to land before Bruce’s appointment had arrived. The doors swung open as the pilot began to slow the propellers, indicating it was safe enough for Bruce to approach. As he did the main guest stepped out, dressed just as sharply as he was to give off the same rich, billionaire air to him.

Seeing Bruce Wayne before him Lex Luthor, with open arms, walked up and said “Bruce! You’re looking the same as ever.”

“Same to you, Lex. And not in a good way.” He quipped with a smirk.

“What do you think I meant when I said it to you?” Lex retorted back before both laughed, hugging each other for a moment like two old friends. Lex realized something and said “Oh! Hang on.” He hurried back towards the chopper and looked under his seat, eventually pulling out a bottle of whiskey and saying “A present.”

Bruce looked at it, examining the label and all, before nodding “Hmm. Excellent year.” He then looked to Lex and asked “Should we crack it open right now?”

“Not while on business.” He replied. “Don’t want to lose my senses and wind up giving all my shares to you.”

Bruce smiled and quipped “Too bad. I was hoping to have the by the end of this meeting.”

The two laughed again before eventually entering into Wayne’s office. From there Bruce at least offered a drink, though something not too strong, which Lex agreed to. As he waited Lex looked around at everything in Wayne’s office.

For being a little smaller than his own back in Metropolis Lex Luthor had to admit that Bruce Wayne could fit a lot into any given amount of space. Along with his desk there was room for two large chairs in front, some space between them and the door, and still enough for both sides of the room to be covered with shelves holding books and expensive looking pieces while the other, where Bruce was, had a personal bar. There were pictures, some small and sitting on the desk like one from a girl named “Andrea”, and others like the large portrait of Bruce with his mother and father, Thomas and Martha Wayne; a small engraving on the bottom indicating them. When Bruce returned with a drink he brought Lex over to one corner of the room where two separate chairs were waiting with a table holding a chess board sat.

Lex chuckled a little before replying “You’re still so insistent on winning aren’t you?”

“Only when I put my mind to it.” Bruce replied, offering a seat while reminding Lex “It was your turn by the way.”

The two sat down before Lex commented “By the way, I heard about that investment you made for that new industry. That fellow… What was his name again?”

“Kord. Ted Kord, actually.” Bruce answered before explaining “He’s got a good head on his shoulders. And some of the designs he presented with Lucius were actually impressive. The donation was small but enough to get him on his feet.”

“You’re getting a little too charitable, Bruce.” Lex replied while figuring his next move. “Had I been in the situation I’d have just bought the whole thing and left Kord with enough to set him up for life.”

“And not at least give him a chance? You know you can be really ruthless sometimes, Lex.”

“In this world you’re a man of action or a man of fortune.” He retorted while finally moving one of his pieces. “Or you’re like us and try to do both.”

“With it being his turn Bruce began with “True. Although I did hear about that misfortune with the company in Star City a month ago.”

“That Queen boy is an idiot. He’ll see once the bottom starts to fall right under his feet.” Lex scoffed and added “And he thinks he’s mayor material.”

“The last time I was genially surprised was when I heard about some freak from the stars that came to this planet and declared himself some sort of savior to the people.”

Bruce stopped and glanced up while replying “Oh right. You’re flying man of steel in Metropolis. You really don’t like him, do you?”

“Don’t tell me there isn’t a part of you that he doesn’t disgust in some way, Bruce.” Lex sipped his drink before leaning back in his chair and continuing with “All that power and he thinks he can just enter this world and be looked upon as a god among men. The egotistical moron.”

“You do think he just wants to help?” Bruce asked after finally making a move.

“I’m sure he does, but what good does that do for the rest of us? Hm? Humans have to learn to survive and adapt. And we can’t very well do that with a red, yellow and blue freak from space flying around and averting disasters.”

“You’ve a problem with him saving lives? That sounds rather pessimistic of you, Lex.”

“Pessimism is what an idealist says about someone who’s a realist.” He countered. “Think of it like this: you and I had to build what we became. We worked for it. We strived for it. True, we did more or less inherit our riches, but we’ve both kept our families legacies from falling into the ashes. Why? Because we tried. We learned what we had to. Made the choices we had to. And dammit we’ve survived because of it.”

“And what does that have to do with Superman?”

“Hmm. I take it from that you didn’t read the interview from the Daily Planet, did you?”

Bruce made his move before answering “I might have skimmed it a little.”

Lex sighed while explaining “Lois Lane’s personal interview with the alien told how all of his power comes from the sun’s own radiation. That is what I’m talking about. People have to work to become strong or become heroes. But this misbegotten fool from a planet far, far away just has to wake up every day and get a decent tan. He cheats.” Lex made his move before seeing the unconvinced look on his friend’s face before replying “Oh come now, Bruce. Surely you have to understand as well, what with that masked menace running around your city every night.”

“I never had any trouble with Batman before.” He commented. “My only concern with him is why he wouldn’t be locked up with the rest of those lunatics he beats up every night.”

“Really?” Lex asked with an unconvinced tone. “What about that car he drives around in? I recall a prototype like that was stolen from your R and D department a few years ago. Never turned up until recently.”

With a shrug he answered “We found out it was connected with a scandal Gothcorp was trying to pull the company into. We did find the prototype. But maybe Batman found the schematics. Could be a disgruntled employee maybe.”

“My point is that you and I are in something of the same boat. You and your development teams must have spent a lot on that design and then what happens? Some freak in a fight mask and cape steals it. It’s no different than with that flying buffoon.”

“This wouldn’t happen to do with any of that business I heard about?” Bruce casually asked. “The one about Superman stopping a few recent crimes connected with LexCorp?”

Lex waved it off and explained “Purely circumstantial, I assure you. The Intergang had been raiding a number of my warehouses for advanced technology. Some of my best weapons and armaments were destroyed when Superman showed up to ‘save the day’ as they’d like to believe.”

“You make it sound so much more personal than it is.” Bruce retorted.

“Don’t be so quick to wave it off, Bruce. In case you haven’t noticed the world’s changing day by day. All of these newer so-called heroes have started springing up all over the place. Here. Metropolis. That so-called Amazonian princess working with the government. Those reports about this ‘New Flash’ in Central City. Those talks about some ‘red-eyed ghost’ hunting down criminals in New York. Not to mention those green colored idiots from Coast City. And all of it seemed to start with Superman’s arrival.”

“You think he has something to do with all of this? You think he invited more alien friends along with him?”

“I think his presence invites this sort of mess in the first place. Alien invasions. Super-powered criminals with dangerous powers. Why just last week I heard about Batman running around with some child sidekick and dragging him into the middle of his apparent war on crime. You can’t honestly tell me you don’t see the threat here, Bruce.”

“Never said I didn’t.” he countered. “In fact, if you want me to be honest about it, you’re not the only one who sees that people like Superman are potential threats. However I’m not about to start a war with him just because I don’t like him. Besides from what I’ve heard it sounds like nothing can stop him anyway.”

With a confident smirk Lex replied “Don’t be so sure of that.” When Bruce asked what he’d meant Luthor answered “Let’s just say I’ve come made a recently substantial investment that’s going to give us the edge we need over Superman.”

“What sort of edge are we talking about?” Bruce asked, his tone all the more curious.

“I’m sorry, Bruce, but while you may be one of my oldest friends, I’m afraid I can’t share everything with you. Not now at least.”

“I know that tone.” Bruce pointed out. “I can tell you’re about to make another one of your grand offers.”

With a smirk Lex replied “You know me so well. Just consider it this time, Bruce. And I mean it. Both of our R and D departments could make advancements that’ll skyrocket both of our companies. Just image what we’ll be able to build together. Both our resources. My mind working behind the scenes. Your face for public pull and support. We could be unstoppable.”

After it came back to his turn Bruce was silent for a moment while seeming to contemplate Lex’s offer. Indeed the joining of their two companies would be something greater than the world could imagine. All of the resources and finances could benefit both of their interests. Not to mention it meant more trust from Lex in order to know more about whatever his plans were.

In the end however Bruce sighed and answered “I’m sorry, Lex. But like always it comes down to me needing more time to think about it. Please understand. Especially now with all the bad press around LexCorp right now. I just wouldn’t be the best investment right now.”

Lex sighed even as Bruce apologized before replying “No, no. You’re right. It’s a little too soon. Besides if in your shoes I might have said the same. But please, Bruce, promise you’ll actually consider it this time.”

With an assuring smile Bruce said “I will, Lex. You have my word.”

After hearing that Lex nodded before his cellphone rang. He excused himself before walking away from the table, talking to whoever it was about something that seemed to interest Lex deeply. Bruce gave a curious look when Lex seemed enthused about whatever it was before finally hanging up.

“Sorry, Bruce, but we’ll have to stop here.” He explained. “Another interesting opportunity just presented itself and I need to make sure it’s not just another empty investment.”

Standing up he replied “Understood. And thanks for the whisky. I’ll need to make sure to bring something next time I visit you.”

“I’ll take your yes if I can’t get anything better.” Luthor joked before the two walked out towards the landing pad, the pilot already starting up the chopper. The two shared another quick hug as Lex said “Take care, Bruce. And be careful. This is a stranger world we live in.”

“Agreed. And you take care of yourself too.” He replied before waving him off.

Lex finally got into the chopper before it took off. From his window the two billionaires shared another wave goodbye before it turned and flew off back for Metropolis. Bruce continued to watch for another few moments until it was near gone from sight.

Now with Luthor gone Bruce seemed to take a sterner, more serious tone as he pulled out his own cellphone. He looked through the contacts before finding the one he needed, dialing.
Once they answered he said “I just finished talking with Luthor.”

“How did it go?”

“Better than I thought. Worse than I hoped.”

“Not the worst of odds I’ve heard of.”

Bruce walked back into his office while continuing with “He’s convinced you’re more a danger than anything else. And that you should be stopped. He made a rather impressive argument.”

“Don’t tell me he’s convinced you.”

“Wouldn’t be calling if he did. I tried to get him to tell me as much as he could but he still doesn’t trust me as much as I’d hoped. Apparently he has some sort of secret weapon for you. No idea what though.”

“You think there’s a way you can find out.”

As he answered “I might. But you wouldn’t like it.” Bruce pushed a button on his desk revealing a secret compartment with a Batsuit inside.

“Figures. How soon could you get here? I can pick you up if you’d like.”

“Thanks. But if I’m flying to Metropolis I’d rather do it the old fashioned way.”

“If you say so. And Bruce, thanks again. I know it can’t be easy going against an old friend like Luthor.”

“He’s become more obsessed over you, Clark. It’s what’s making him as bad as he is. I’ve seen it too often before. Believe me when I say I doubt there’s much left of the man he used to be.”

“Doesn’t make it any easier. Anyway I have to get going. Hopefully I’ll see you soon.”

“Same.” Bruce simply stated before hanging up.

With all his businesses concluded Bruce simply looked back at the hidden Batsuit in his desk. While Luthor did not have as much trust in him, Bruce had long since lost all his faith and trust in Luthor when he learned of the underground works he’d been committing for the sake of destroying Superman; and the lives he endangered because of it. While he might have played the friend they were far from that anymore.

As he walked back to the chess table he thought about how he’d hoped his trust in Clark would be better rewarded. While he did have more hope in him Bruce still contemplated what Lex had said about Clark, or rather ‘Superman’, and his powers causing all sorts of dangers for the world. If whatever he found on Lex and his secret weapon turned out to be something truly effective perhaps there would be more caution to keep it for himself than destroy it. Still from what he’d seen of him Bruce was somewhat content in knowing that for the time being they were on the same side.

Before leaving his office and readying to call Alfred to pack his things for a sudden trip to Metropolis Bruce stopped and examined the board. Upon seeing where things had been left off, what pieces remained and where they were placed, he reached down and moved one last piece.

“Checkmate.” He said aloud, the board showing that one victory was gained while another awaited in Metropolis.