AN: What if Superman and Wonder Woman first met in Superman: The Animated Series and not Justice League? Here's the first of a set of stories I have written for an alternate universe of S:TAS. This universe doesn't include "Legacy." I figured if Wonder Woman was around "Legacy" wouldn't have happened or it would've been a completely different story.

Union

Part One:

A Malevolent Alliance

Metropolis was cool this evening as fall officially set in. Leaves fell in a variety of colors, decorating parks, streets and the lawns of many Metropolitan residents. While many look forward to the changing season, others dread the unavoidable raking of the leaves. And yet, there was something about this season that was incredibly beautiful.

Even someone as evil as Lex Luthor looked forward to the season. It personified one thing for him: change. Lex loved changes as long as it suited him. The richest man in Metropolis stood in front of the fireplace of his penthouse apartment slowly swirling his expensive cognac. It was safer to have the meeting here than in a public place such as Metropolis Park or his office in LexCorp. A certain flying fool from Krypton would spot him and put an end to his plans. A smile curved Lex's face as he thought of the flying fool and how he would react when he learn of the plan. This one was truly perfect and Superman would never see it coming.

Behind him, Lex heard the double doors to his lavish living room open followed by the footsteps of high heel boots clicking across his marbled floor. Mercy, his ever faithful servant. Even after the incident with Brainiac where he left her to die, she remained by his side. She was an excellent bodyguard, not bad in bed when he took her. She was foolishly faithful to the end and owed him big for taking her off the streets. It was that fact alone why Mercy never questioned Lex after the Brainiac incident. She knew her place and knew he could drop her at a moment's notice.

Mercy sauntered over to Lex. "All the men are in place. We're ready."

Lex smirked. "The security measure you set up is ridiculous, Mercy. The person I'm meeting can take us all out in a blink of an eye."

"Who are we meeting, Lex?" Mercy asked, annoyed that she of all people was left out of Lex's plan.

Lex finished the last of his cognac. "Someone powerful. Someone who can guarantee the end of Superman."

As he handed the empty glass to Mercy, a rush of air blew in the room followed by the faint sound of thunder. Mercy grabbed her piece. "He's coming." Lex placed a hand on Mercy's, forcing her to lower her gun. "That won't be needed."

Lex and Mercy shield their eyes from the bright light that suddenly filled the room. When the light faded, Mercy opened her eyes and gasped. She knew Lex was meeting someone powerful, possibly not of this world but she never thought it was Darkseid.

Lex stepped forward, smiling diplomatically. "Great Darkseid, welcome to my home. It's good to see you accepted my invitation."

Darkseid towered over Lex Luthor menacingly, with his large powerful arms behind him in his infamous stance that intimidated beings across the universe. Almost everyone. While Mercy looked ready to relieve herself on Lex's floor like an untrained puppy, Lex was as cool and confident as always. "I'm merely curious to meet the one person on this ridiculous planet, who came into possession of my boom tube and is willing to betray billions of inferior humans for the life of one Kryptonian."

Lex laughed arrogantly. "I hardly call it betrayal when due to your pact with New Genesis, you cannot attack Earth. As for a certain Kryptonian, all bets are off."

Darkseid scowled at Lex. Did Lex Luthor really think he had the upper hand due to Darkseid's treaty with High Father? "You lure me here to mock my setback by Superman?"

Lex shook his head but the arrogant smirk never left his face. "Of course not. We have something in common, Great Darkseid. We have both been humiliated by Superman and our plans have been thwarted by him. What I offer is an alliance. We work together to kill Superman. With him gone, I'll continue with my plans on Earth and you can rule the rest of the universe without Superman interfering."

"You want, I, Darkseid to ally myself with a human?" The idea was repulsive yet intriguing to the ruler of Apokolips.

"I know about Manheim," Lex said coolly "I have a better track record and I can be a much better partner."

A flash of light appeared behind Darkseid. Darkseid turned and walked through his portal. "We'll discuss this further in my world."

Without any hesitation, Lex stepped in the portal. Mercy followed but it wasn't like she had a choice.

Lex frowned as he stepped out of the boom tube as he returned home. He hated being the pawn and that's exactly what he was. He was doing Darkseid's work for him. Still, if it gets him what he wanted--Superman dead--then it would be worth it.

Lex Luthor stood in front of Darkseid as he sat on his throne looking down at Lex and Mercy as if they were mere bugs he can squash with his boot. Darkseid pressed a button on his throne and a hologram of a gold, jewel scepter hovered over Lex and Mercy.

"Find this for me," Darkseid decreed.

"What is that?" Lex asked.

"Hera's Scepter. It's a magical scepter and I'm aware Superman is vulnerable to magic."

"And just what will this scepter do?" Lex asked. It sounded farfetched a scepter would do away with Superman.

"It won't kill Superman, unfortunately but it can trap Superman in a dimension where he has no chance of returning. Call it another Phantom Zone."

"Phantom Zone." Lex was aware of the Phantom Zone dimension. He knew Superman barely escaped when he was trapped in it. If this scepter can open another dimension, Lex would gladly send Superman there. "Just how will I be able to find this scepter?" Lex asked.

"It's on Earth. You have money and resources at your power. Find it."

"Find it," Lex mocked. "That's easier said than done. How the hell am I suppose to find a mythical scepter on this planet without a clue where to start?"

"Are you sure it's a good idea joining forces with Darkseid?" Mercy asked. "Remember what happened during his first invasion on Earth?"

Lex smiled. "I know and I know Darkseid can't do anything without starting a war with New Genesis." He turned to Mercy. "Besides, Mercy, you should by now I don't trust anyone and I always have a plan."

Lex picked up a gray cube--a gift from Darkseid. The holographic image of Hera's scepter appeared above him. "Get some sleep, Mercy. We have a lot to do in the morning."