Union

Part Six:

A Well Laid Trap

At the top of LexCorp's building Lex Luthor watched the coverage of Superman and Wonder Woman in Metropolis this morning. Superman and Wonder Woman were on the highway leading into Metropolis. A tractor trailer truck overturned, scattering lumber all over the road. The gas leaking out of the truck started a huge fire. Superman and Wonder Woman arrived on the scene. Superman put out the gas fire. Wonder Woman carried the most injured victims to the hospital. The clean up was going to keep the superheroes busy.

The morning news once again talked about the apartment building Superman and Wonder Woman saved and questioned Wonder Woman's presence in Metropolis. Luthor frowned. It was bad enough when Superman and Batman teamed up against him. The last think he need was nearly indestructible Kryptonian and an Amazon pairing up.

Mercy entered his office. "I got an email from Dr. Satsu this morning. They found the scepter last night. It's on route to Metropolis now. It should be here later this morning."

Lex grinned wickedly. "Good. I want to examine it first before Darkseid gets his greedy hands on it."

Mercy shivered at the mention of the Lord of Apokolips. "I'm still nervous, Lex. I trust Darkseid by as far as I can throw him."

"I know the feeling, but we both have the same goal. Whatever double cross Darkseid is planning, I'll be ready for him."

"Are you sure?" Mercy was concerned. "This guy already tried to destroy the Earth more than once."

Lex looked back at Mercy, displeased. "Are you questioning me?"

"No. I just--"

"Then shut up!" Lex snapped. "No one asked for your opinion."

Mercy remained quiet. She stared at the replayed clips of Superman and Wonder Woman on the screen. She hoped Lex's plan for Darkseid would work; otherwise they were going to be in serious trouble.

Lois was at her desk typing up the story of Superman and Wonder Woman in Metropolis cleaning up the accident on the highway. Perry White stepped out of his office. "Lane, have you seen Kent?"

"No, Chief, he hasn't come in yet."

"That doesn't sound like him."

"Clark may be onto a hot story," Jimmy said, approaching them.

"Hot story? What story?" Lois demanded.

"The other day, I saw Clark on his computer researching something. I only glanced at it but it had something to do with LexCorp."

"Dammit! He's gonna scoop me again." Lois looked over to Clark's desk fuming. She saw an orange envelop in his Inbox that was delivered this morning. It was probably something about his hot story. Lois went to his desk, opened it, read the contents and smile. "I got you now, Kent."

An hour later, Clark Kent arrived at his desk. Lois wasn't at hers but that didn't surprise Clark. She was probably off covering a story or getting more information on him and Wonder Woman this morning. Clark noticed an envelop in his Inbox on his desk. It must be the letter containing the list of places Lex is searching for Hera's scepter. Clark opened it.

It wasn't a list but a letter, mentioning Lex's team has found Hera's scepter last night and it will be delivered at LexCorp late this morning. Clark looked at his watch. He lost a lot of time dealing with that truck on the highway. The scepter could be at LexCorp now. Clark noticed the envelop was open. He looked at Lois' empty desk and got a bad feeling.

Clark picked up his cell phone as he rushed to the stairway to change.

"Hello?" Diana answered.

"It's me. I need you to meet me on the roof of the Daily Planet immediately. I'll explain everything on the way to LexCorp."

"I'm on my way."

Lex Luthor was actually surprised to get a visit from Lois Lane. He didn't want anything to do with the reporters but Lois stormed to Lex's office questioning him about Hera's scepter. He had no choice but to let her in.

Lex stood as he greeted Lois walking in the room. Mercy stood beside Lex protectively. "Lois, what an unexpected surprise," Lex smiled warmly. "Why am I grace with your presence?"

"Cut the sweet talk," Lois said sharply. "What do you plan to do with Hera's scepter?" She didn't know what it was but she was bluffing she did.

"I want to collect it," Lex said smoothly. "Do I need an excuse to collect art?"

"Art?" Lois scoffed. "I say something shady is going on. Why else would someone on your payroll send a letter to the Daily Planet about it?"

Lex scowled. Someone snitched. Only his archeological crew, Mercy and himself knew about the scepter. Once he found the traitor, he'll make sure to silence the snitch. Then he smiled. This might work his way after all.

Lex walked passed Lois and opened the door for her. "Come. I'll tell you but not here."

Lois, against her better judgment, followed Lex and Mercy down the elevator to the lower levels of LexCorp. Lois didn't know it but she was heading for the research and development lab in sector six. It was once a prison for Lex by Brainaic. Lex and Mercy said nothing to Lois as they escorted her to the room.

Lex revealing his plan to her meant one thing to Lois--she was bait for Superman. Again.

Oh, great.

Lex turned to face Lois. "To answer your question, I want to be rid of Superman and what better way to do so than to lure you here?"

"I knew it!" Lois rolled her eyes. Why didn't she see this coming?

"However, I'm not so sure if Superman will come for you now he has a new catch. Rumors are spreading of romance between Superman and Wonder Woman. How does it feel to be dumped for someone better?" Lex grinned seeing the anger rise in her eyes. He took in a delicious pleasure of seeing Lois angry. It still got to him that Lois dumped him. He never had a woman tell him it was over. "Still, someone as honorable as Superman will always save his first love." Lex looked to Mercy. Mercy grabbed the remote, pressed a button on it causing glass cage to crash over Lois, sealing her in.

"A cage, Lex?" Lois crossed her arms unimpressed. "How third rate villainy."

"It's old fashioned but it works. Besides, you're just bait."

Superman and Wonder Woman burst through the walls. Superman punched the walls breaking the cage and freeing Lois. Superman joined Wonder Woman's side as they faced off Lex and Mercy.

"Superman, Wonder Woman, what an expected surprised." Lex slowly gazes over Wonder Woman. "You're even more beautiful in person."

"Where's Hera's Scepter?" Wonder Woman demanded.

"You'll find out soon enough. Until then..." Lex pulled a remote from his jacket. He pressed a button on the remote.

Kryptonite beams shot up from the floor creating a cage around Superman and Wonder Woman. Superman collapsed to the floor, weakened. Wonder Woman went to Superman's side. She knew kryptonite weaken him but seeing it was still a shock. Wonder Woman looked to Lex angry. "The kryptonite may hurt Superman, but not me."

Wonder Woman grabbed the beams in an attempt to rip them apart. Several thousand volts of electricity flowed through Wonder Woman, shocking her entire body.

"No!" Superman touched Wonder Woman and the electricity flowing through her knocked him back, slamming him into a kryptonite beam hard. Superman, already weakened by the kryptonite, slipped unconscious. Through painful screams, Wonder Woman held on to break the beams. When two of the beams broke, Lex turned up the power, sending stronger surges of electricity through Wonder Woman until she finally she fell to the ground unconscious besides Superman.

"Did I forget to mention I had the bars charged with enough electricity to take out Wonder Woman?" Lex chuckled. "Silly me."

Horrified, Lois watch Wonder Woman and Superman unconscious. Lois knew if they couldn't do anything, she couldn't either. "And just what do you plan to do to me?"

"Mercy, tie and gag her. We don't want her mouthing off to our guest."

Lois got herself in a fighting stance. "Come near me and I'll kick your ass."

Lex took the gun from Mercy and aimed it at Lois. "Strike, Mercy or die. Trust me. I'm doing this for your own good."

Lois lowered her stance and allowed herself to be tied and gagged. She knew she would eventually get out but for now she'll play victim and wait, at least until she sees his guest.

"Diana, wake up," the voice was low, barely audible even though she felt the person beside her. "Wake up," he urged, a little louder. Wonder Woman awakened to find Superman's cerulean blue eyes staring at her worried.

"Whispering sweet nothings into your lover's ear," Lex taunting voice caused Wonder Woman to glare at Lex who stood proudly outside the cage.

Wonder Woman sat up. She was horrified to discover she was wrapped in her lasso. Superman was in kryptonite handcuffs.

The intense glare Superman and Wonder Woman gave Lex didn't intimidate him in the least. "In case you're wondering how I discovered your weakness, Wonder Woman, well," he chuckled. "I know people who had past relations with you and easily talk in hopes you were brought down."

"And if he didn't find out, I most certainly would have," a new voice, one Wonder Woman never heard before stepped forward. Darkseid's figure loomed over Lex's as he stared her down.

"Darkseid."

Darkseid looked at Superman who was itching to break out of his kryptonite cuffs and beat him down. "Kal-El has told you about me."

Wonder Woman gazed at Darkseid fearless. "Yes. He told me you're a diabolical dictator bent on ruling the universe with your evil, iron fist. It's your way or die." She tilted her head at Lex. "You also have pawns doing your dirty work before you reveal yourself when victory is inevitable. Of course when battling Superman, you're 0-2."

Darkseid grinned; keeping up the pretense the truth didn't affect him. "Clever woman."

"You hate Superman and want him dead because he's the only one in your way for total sovereignty over the universe." Wonder Woman smirked confidently. "He's not the only one in your way."

Darkseid's red eyes turned fiery and his smiled faded, replaced with a sneer. He could crush her with his bare hands and she mocks him? "Arrogant as well. A typical trait of an Earthling. However, Kal-El misinformed you. I'm not a dictator. I am a God."

"Now who's arrogant," Wonder Woman retorted back.

The fire in his eyes burned brighter. Despite Wonder Woman's testing his patience, Darkseid was impressed the Amazon. She stood up to him with no fear in her eyes. Too bad she was on the wrong team. Someone of her caliber would work well in his conquest of the universe and anti-life equation.

"What are you doing here, Darkseid?" Superman demanded. "Through your pact with New Genesis, you're not allowed on Earth."

"Perhaps, but I was invited by Luthor. There's nothing in the pact that says I cannot come to Earth on invitation."

"Why do I get the feeling this isn't your first invitation to Earth?" Superman said, infuriated at the thought Darkseid was on Earth previously and he didn't know it.

"Your instincts are correct, Superman," Darkseid said smugly. "Only I possess the devices to capture you."

Wonder Woman turned her attention on Lex. "I don't know what you're thinking, Luthor, but joining forces with Darkseid to get Hera's scepter isn't a good thing."

"She's smart, too," Luthor said impressed. "I'm surprised you figured it out."

"It wasn't hard now seeing Darkseid here," Superman said struggling to break free of his cuffs. It wasn't working and he ended up cutting himself.

"Whatever Darkseid promised you, isn't worth risking the lives of everyone on this planet," Wonder Woman tried to reason with Lex. "Do you really want to risk the lives of so many innocent people because of your grudge with Superman? Even you with your money and power, you must have some heart, some humanity left in you."

"It's no use trying to get to Lex's heart," Superman said, his voice weakening due to the prolong exposure to the kryptonite. "He doesn't have one."

Lex chuckled. "Actually, I do. Instead of letting you suffer, slowly dying by the effects of the kryptonite, I'm going to kill you quickly."

"Answer this. Why are you after Hera's scepter?"

"I don't want it. Darkseid does. We made a pact. I search for the scepter so we can get rid of Superman. The scepter opens a portal, much similar to the Phantom Zone. I had no idea you'd be interested in the scepter, Wonder Woman. Superman will have you as company."

Lex went to the wall and pressed a button. It opened revealing a gold, jeweled scepter. He hands it to Darkseid. "I fulfilled my part of the bargain. Now do away with Superman and Wonder Woman"

"You're so blinded by your hatred for me you don't see Darkseid using you the same way he used everyone else," Superman pointed out. He was watching Darkseid's reaction through Lex's exchanged with him and Wonder Woman. Darkseid was too quiet. Superman didn't know all of Darkseid's plan, but he knew what Darkseid's ultimate goal was and Lex didn't see he was a sucker in it all.

Lex narrowed his eyes at Superman. "What do you mean by that?"

"Hera's scepter doesn't open a portal to a dimension like the Phantom Zone. It opens the gateway to Olympus, home of the Gods," Superman said.

"They don't exist," Lex said.

"I can assure you they are real and Zeus will not be happy that the gate to his home is opened by a mortal." Wonder Woman informed.

"Knowing Darkseid's history, Darkseid wants to open the gateway to Olympus to take over," Superman added.

"It doesn't bother me if does," Lex answered.

"It should bother you if Darkseid uses the scepter on Earth, Zeus will destroy the person responsible for opening the gate but also the land. Metropolis will not survive Zeus' wrath."

Lex looked from Superman and Wonder Woman. They looked to be telling the truth. Lex looked at Darkseid, who's evil grin widen and the fire in his eyes burned brighter. In that instant, Lex knew he was hoodwinked! "What did you do?" Lex demanded to know.

"It's not what I did. It's what you did--become a traitor for your planet." Darkseid's sinister smile grew. "Humans blinded by their own arrogance are the most foolish. As explained, Zeus will be angered by the opening will kill you and everyone in Metropolis. While Zeus rages war on Metropolis, my parademons and I will conquer Olympus.'

"Another planet to add to your evil empire," Superman commented.

"Bastard! That wasn't our plan!" Lex cursed at Darkseid.

"I know and it makes our deal just as sweet." He grinned again. Darkseid looked at Luthor mockingly. "Didn't think you had any reason to fear me because of my treaty with New Genesis? I am a God. I answer to no one and no treaty, no…" he looked at Superman, "Superman will stop me from getting what I so rightfully deserve."

"You are a fool if you think you can defeat Zeus," Wonder Woman said. "He and all his Gods will fight you to your last breath. You will never conquer Olympus."

"You overestimate the power of your Gods, Wonder Woman," Darkseid said as his eyes fell onto the Amazon Princess. "You serve and praise Gods, Wonder Woman. Join me and see the fruits of serving a true God. A woman of your strength would prove useful in my universe."

"Never!"

Darkseid sneered, the temptation to blast her away with his deadly eyebeams were great. "Foolish woman."

Behind him, Lex jumps to attack Darkseid. Darkseid smacks Lex as if he was a fly. He slammed into the wall and fell unconscious. "Foolish mortal. I would kill you now if I weren't going to see a more horrifying look when Zeus destroy you and this land." Darkseid activated his boom tube. He turned to Superman and Wonder Woman. "Should you escape, remember my army of parademons will stop you." He stepped inside the portal.

"We must escape," Wonder Woman said authoritatively. "We can't allow Darkseid to open the gate."

"Help is coming," Superman said seeing Mercy approach them. In her hands were on the remote Lex used to trap them. She pressed a button deactivating it. She then freed Wonder Woman from her lasso and remove the kryptonite cuffs from Superman. She tossed it across the room.

"No more favors. Make sure you tell Kent that," Mercy said to Superman and went to check on Lex.

Wonder Woman looked to Superman. "Your source," she whispered and Superman nodded.

Wonder Woman stood and attached her lasso to her hip and Superman welcomed the feeling of his strength returning. He looked over to Wonder Woman who was freeing Lois.

"We need to go," Wonder Woman said.

"Right." Superman turned to Lois. "Get to safety, Lois."

Superman and Wonder Woman raced out of the room.

"Get to safety?" Lois scoffed. "Yeah, right."

Once out of LexCorp, Superman and Wonder Woman flew over Metropolis looking for Darkseid. They were met with an army of parademons, attacking the people. Superman and Wonder Woman went to fighting. Each threw punches and kicks at the parademons, knocking them out. Superman would sometimes use his heat vision to burn the wings of the parademons. He even froze some with his breath. He flew further in the city, helping the people who were being attacked.

"Help the people!" Wonder Woman ordered. "I'll take on Darkseid!"

"Diana, no!" Superman argued.

"The people need you!" Wonder Woman said and flew off.

Five parademons jumped Wonder Woman in the sky. She plummets but summoned enough strength and knocked them off her. She knocked them all out. As Wonder Woman continued to battle parademons, she saw Darkseid standing on the roof of the Daily Planet. He held Hera's scepter in his hand and raised it in the sky.

Hera's scepter began to glow. Clouds appeared over Darkseid as the center slowly parted. The gateway to Olympus was opening. Wonder Woman flew faster towards Darkseid and head butted him from behind. Darkseid was knocked off his feet and dropped Hera's scepter.

Hera's scepter rolled on the roof. The gateway to Olympus closed and the clouds dissipated.

Wonder Woman reached for Hera's scepter but a parademon attacked Wonder Woman from behind, biting her neck. Wonder Woman yelled and yanked the parademon off her and slapped it into the Daily Planet globe. The parademon fell unconscious.

Darkseid grabbed Wonder Woman from behind putting her in a deadly headlock. "So, Wonder Woman, you come to challenge me. The world will remember your sacrifice for them."

Wonder Woman pushed back knocking them off the building. They plummet in the sky, both fighting for control. Wonder Woman managed to break the hold Darkseid had on her and slammed his body in the street.

Bystanders stood back, others ran while some pulled out their camera as Wonder Woman and Darkseid faced off and took pictures.

Wonder Woman stood defiant as Darkseid rose. "I won't let you use Hera's scepter to destroy Metropolis or enter Olympus!"

With a wicked gleam, he fired his eye beams on Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman crossed her arms, deflecting the dangerous beams back with her bracelets. Darkseid used more force but it didn't stop Wonder Woman. He backed off.

"You should be proud. Very few people can deflect my beams." He stepped towards her. "In cases like this, brute force is needed." Wonder Woman blocked the first attacked but not the second and was sent flying head first into a car.

Darkseid had a stronger punch than Wonder Woman imagine. Still, that wasn't going to stop her. Wonder Woman pulled herself from the car and came at Darkseid hard. Wonder Woman managed a strong left and right hook to Darkseid before he wrapped one of his large hands around Wonder Woman's waist and slammed her body into the concrete ground.

"Woman or man, I show no mercy to anyone who fights me."

A baseball hit the back of Darkseid's head, then a rock, followed by sticks, cell phones, a football, shoes and even a bag of pineapples. Darkseid turned and saw spectators watching the fight decided to get in on it.

"Stay away from Wonder Woman!" a woman yelled.

"Get off our planet!" a man yelled before firings his gun on Darkseid.

The bullets bounced off Darkseid and the angry Lord of Apokolips grew angry at the disturbance. "Pestilent insects." His fiery eyes shot on the people, taking them out one by one. They ran to get away from Darkseid dangerous beams, but running didn't save them. Staying out of the fight would've.

"Darkseid!"

Darkseid turned and Wonder Woman swung a lamp post at him. Darkseid was knocked off his feet and sent flying to into a restaurant. Wonder Woman dropped the lamp post. Fighting Darkseid took a lot out of her but she knew he wasn't finished.

Darkseid was officially mad. He was the ruler of Apokolips, hundreds of worlds and civilizations trembled at his feet and he was getting beaten up by a woman. A woman! The Amazon was strong Darkseid admitted but not stronger than him. He was going to break her body twenty different ways before he was finished with her.

Darkseid rose. He fired his eye beams on her and Wonder Woman put up her bracelets to deflect him. Though she held up against him, Darkseid could tell Wonder Woman was weakening. Darkseid pulled back again. Wonder Woman advance to Darkseid again, throwing punches at Darkseid. She got a couple in but she missed more. She jumped in the air to kick Darkseid but he grabbed her leg. He swung her body in the air and slammed it down on the ground hard. The impact cracked the concrete and the ground shook slightly.

Wonder Woman let out a painful scream. Darkseid released her, giving her a reprieve before he broke her body in pieces. To Darkseid's surprise, Wonder Woman rose. Quitting wasn't in her blood.

Darkseid shook his head at Wonder Woman's pathetic attempt to rise. "You are a credit to your Amazon race, Wonder Woman. You don't give up even when death is inevitable. A great warrior you would've been serving under me." Darkseid dug his fingers in the street and lift a large piece of concrete over his head ready to crush Wonder Woman. "It's such a waste."

Superman flew in and knocked Darkseid off his feet, causing him to drop the concrete and slamming him through another building. Superman threw several punches at Darkseid, left and right. Darkseid grabbed Superman's hands and head butted him. Superman fell back but he refused to stop. Superman was furious at Darkseid. The nerve of him threatening to destroy Earth and now attacking Wonder Woman. Superman launched another series of super punches at Darkseid until his face swelled from the punches, and his ribs cracked. Darkseid fell to his knees. His eyes burned ready to send his fire beams off but Superman covered Darkseid's eyes imploding the beams on him. Darkseid roared in pain as his head nearly exploded.

Thunder rumbled above Superman and parademons flew in through the boom tube. The ones Wonder Woman and Superman fought earlier already retreated back to Apokolips. Superman pulled Darkseid off his feet. "New Genesis will hear of this," Superman threatened. He raised Darkseid over his head and threw him in the portal.

Superman turned to Wonder Woman to check on her but she was flying off up towards the Daily Planet. Superman followed her. When he reached the roof, he saw Wonder Woman picking up Hera's scepter. "How are you?"

"Sore in a few places but I'll be fine," she answered.

Superman looked at the scepter in Wonder Woman's hands. "So, that's Hera's scepter. I'm glad you have it. Metropolis and the world are safe from Zeus's anger."

"Yes and it's time to return the scepter to its proper owner." Wonder Woman took a few steps away from Superman as she prepared to fly off. She looked back at Superman, smiling. "Thank you…Kal. I couldn't have retrieved Hera's scepter without you." Wonder Woman flew into the sky and as Superman watch her fly until he couldn't see her anymore, Superman to wondered when he will see her again.

Two days later, Diana called Clark and asked to meet him on the Daily Planet roof that evening. Superman didn't have to wait long before he saw Wonder Woman flying towards him. She gracefully landed in front of him and Superman was pleased to see Wonder Woman recovered from her injuries.

"Everything taken care of?"

"Yes. Hera's Scepter is rightfully in Hera's hands. Zeus praised me on my mission. He also wanted me to extend his thanks to you for assisting me with my mission."

"I was happy to do it," Superman said.

"I've read Lex Luthor is being investigated with his connection to Darkseid."

Clark recalled the story Lois wrote and her gloating to which she added he shouldn't leave valuable hot stories out in the open. She calls a sealed envelop addressed to him out in the open? Clark let it go, knowing it didn't matter. "Yes, but Luthor will have his lawyers get him out of it. Adding to that, I want to say we worked pretty well together."

Wonder Woman smiled, agreeing. "I think so, too."

Superman wanted to tell her how he really felt for her but didn't. Diana was still new to the world and he wasn't sure if his feelings will be reciprocated. "I know you have to go back to Washington, D.C., but if you're ever in Metropolis or need help, look me up."

"I'll consider that and if you're in Washington, D.C. or you need help, definitely look me up."

"Count on it."

Wonder Woman looked as if she was going to say something but didn't. Instead, she turned and flew away. Why do I feel sad saying goodbye to Kal? He's just a man and he only helped me on my mission. Even so, Wonder Woman couldn't hold back the smile on her face as she thought of the night she and Superman soared through the clouds.

Superman was also sad seeing Wonder Woman fly from him. He was even sadder he didn't tell Wonder Woman how he felt. Maybe their paths will cross again and he would have to courage to tell her his feelings. Until then, he will go on with his life but Wonder Woman would not be far from his thoughts.

The End