A What-If Story #12 (read only)

[Masada]

The tattered S shield on a blue background was beautifully framed in his office, across from his desk, so he could look at it all day.
Lex Luthor listened to gangsta rap when he was alone. For his building he pumped out the obligatory muzak, but his tastes were far different from that of the usual business mogul.
There was a problem, however. Lex was bored. The one thing that had driven him all these years, the destruction of Superman, was done. He was a man who literally could do anything he wanted, through legal or other means. The challenge was gone, however, and he could never get it back.
Unless..

"Hope, have some people bring up boxes A-12 and G-01, please." Lex told one of his bodyguards. She nodded and left. Luthor smiled. If his plan worked, Superman would be just the beginning...

[Masada]

Not to his office, but to a secured anteroom on the same floor. This is where Luthor and the boxes ultimately ended up. The sealed compartments carefully contained all energies and emissions from either of the devices, and kept their original owners from tracking them. Luthor first cracked the seal of A-12 using mechanical arms, safely behind the Kryptonian technology he had exploited from Superman's fortress.

A boom tube.

The instant it was revealed, a portal opened and hideous Parademons flocked into the room. They were cut down by the weapons systems almost as quickly as they emerged. Luthor reclined and watched, waiting for someone of consequence to appear. After the bodies of hundreds of Parademons had begun piling up, a form emerged. Built like a living mountain, Darkseid crushed the remains of his mindless servants' bodies beneath his boots. He glared at Luthor through the transparent, protective wall that separated them.

"I have come for the property the Kryptonian stole from me. Where is he?"
Luthor smiled. "Dead, Master of Apokolips. Quite dead. Say, have I got an interesting proposition for you...

[Masada]

Darkseid's eyes glowed red. "You would make demands..." he began. "..upon a GOD?!" The Omega Effect fired at Luthor, collided with the transparent wall and.. STOPPED.
Luthor bowed. "No, Lord Darkseid. All I want is a ringside seat at the greatest show in the universe. I'm bored, you see. I have all of Kryptonian technology at my disposal, as well as my own.. modifications. I am a man without a challenge, without anything to entertain me."
"Cease your prattle!" Darkseid demanded. He ripped the box open and took the boom tube generator in hand. As he turned to leave, he stopped.
"I too find myself without challenge or distraction. Finish your proposal."
Luthor smiled. Despite differing levels of physical might, they were more alike than Darkseid would probably ever admit. "Master or Apokolips, is that enough? I offer you the possibility to extend your grasp into another universe, and enjoy fruits there that we cannot imagine."
Darkseid turned and look back. "Do not be cryptic."
Luthor's smile became a wry grin. "Open the other box." he said.
Darkseid placed his hands on box G-01. It came apart in his hands. Inside a flame exploded, dousing him in radiance before disappearing. Darkseid shuddered and his knees buckled. When he recovered, he smiled for the first time in ages.
"What.. was that?"
"That, Lord Darkseid, was the Power Cosmic."