Post by DocQuantum on Mar 19, 2024 22:32:09 GMT
This story is from the old Yahoo Groups and was never posted here as far as I can tell.
Showcase: Lex Luthor: A Hero's Welcome
by Starsky Hutch 76
Story completed Jul 22, 2014
pt 1
Lex Luthor sat slumped in the large couch before the enormous television screen that encompassed one wall. The news was playing, but he barely paid it any attention. He sat, as he had countless days before, in his bathrobe, boxers, and dirty t-shirt. His face was unshaven and random, un-plucked hairs dotted his bald head. A half-full bottle of whiskey rested listlessly in his hand. The cloud of ennui hung over him like a lead blanket.
This had been his normal state for most of the months since killing Kobra. If only the cult leader had been the same man he had vowed vengeance against. Instead, he had found a man redeemed spiritually by his becoming the savior of Khandaq. Instead of a villain, he had killed a good man and found it left him feeling empty inside. Would killing Superman feel the same? He now doubted the very imperatives that had driven his existence for so long.
He had tried to distract himself with pursuits such as replacing the cybernetic parts of his henchman, Louto, with cloned, flesh and blood parts. Even that didn't work, so he sent the grateful ex-cyborg on extended vacation so he could be alone with his misery.
His disappearance hadn't gone unnoticed. Rumors were starting to circulate that he was dead.
He stared blankly at the screen with bloodshot eyes. Suddenly, something caught his attention. It was the hero, Booster Gold, swooping to rescue a little girl who had fallen from her 7th story apartment patio. As he lowered her to the crowd, he suddenly found himself swarmed by a cheering, adoring crowd.
"Vainglorious pompinjay," Luthor muttered.
There was something about the whole situation, though. The camera suddenly zoomed in on Booster Gold's face. His eyes... there was such elation. Such contentment! It was then Lex Luthor had an epiphany.
Showcase: Lex Luthor: A Hero's Welcome
by Starsky Hutch 76
Story completed Jul 22, 2014
pt 1
Lex Luthor sat slumped in the large couch before the enormous television screen that encompassed one wall. The news was playing, but he barely paid it any attention. He sat, as he had countless days before, in his bathrobe, boxers, and dirty t-shirt. His face was unshaven and random, un-plucked hairs dotted his bald head. A half-full bottle of whiskey rested listlessly in his hand. The cloud of ennui hung over him like a lead blanket.
This had been his normal state for most of the months since killing Kobra. If only the cult leader had been the same man he had vowed vengeance against. Instead, he had found a man redeemed spiritually by his becoming the savior of Khandaq. Instead of a villain, he had killed a good man and found it left him feeling empty inside. Would killing Superman feel the same? He now doubted the very imperatives that had driven his existence for so long.
He had tried to distract himself with pursuits such as replacing the cybernetic parts of his henchman, Louto, with cloned, flesh and blood parts. Even that didn't work, so he sent the grateful ex-cyborg on extended vacation so he could be alone with his misery.
His disappearance hadn't gone unnoticed. Rumors were starting to circulate that he was dead.
He stared blankly at the screen with bloodshot eyes. Suddenly, something caught his attention. It was the hero, Booster Gold, swooping to rescue a little girl who had fallen from her 7th story apartment patio. As he lowered her to the crowd, he suddenly found himself swarmed by a cheering, adoring crowd.
"Vainglorious pompinjay," Luthor muttered.
There was something about the whole situation, though. The camera suddenly zoomed in on Booster Gold's face. His eyes... there was such elation. Such contentment! It was then Lex Luthor had an epiphany.
