Everyone's attention had been so focused on the bigger picture that they'd all overlooked something crucial, Lucian included. Reflecting on this strange gathering, Clark felt a deep sense of unease.
Luthor had already laid out all the plans, communicating them to the heroes and survivors through internal channels. The strategy had been set in stone for a long time, so there was no real reason to bring everyone together for this "final" meeting. Why would he do it? And what was it that they were all missing?
Clark had been proud of Luthor, seeing him earn everyone's trust and respect with his intellect. But now, it seemed that gaining recognition was just the first step. Luthor had clearly used that trust to set something else in motion.
While Clark was sure Luthor's intentions were for the greater good, his famously radical methods meant that any large-scale plan could have devastating consequences, hurting more than just a few people.
As Clark's mind raced, reality provided the answer. No one was paying close attention as Luthor repeated the familiar plan. Their guards were down. In that moment of complacency, a massive green figure slowly materialized behind Luthor. By the time everyone saw who it was, it was too late.
A searing blast of heat vision, just like Superman's, shot from the creature's eyes, instantly slicing Luthor in two. It was the Martian Manhunter.
Luthor had used the entire Ark Project as a diversion to make everyone forget about him. Now, with all the heroes gathered, the Martian Manhunter finally struck. The sight of the half-smile on Luthor's severed face gave Clark complete clarity. He understood Luthor's entire plan without a single word of explanation.
Clark had previously learned about the Martian Manhunter's dangerous abilities, such as invisibility and phasing, from other heroes after he was infected. The infected retain their intelligence, and they use it to exploit their unique powers and find a way to end their lives. This was especially true for a being as complex as the Martian Manhunter.
If Eve used her teleportation to lead the infected and heroes on a guerrilla war, the Martian Manhunter would naturally use his abilities to hide in the shadows and wait for the perfect moment to strike. Luthor knew that if Superman stayed on Earth and Wonder Woman went into space, the Manhunter would be able to defeat them one by one.
So, Luthor devised a different plan. He used the Ark Project to distract everyone from the Martian Manhunter, all while presenting himself as humanity's hope and the Anti-Life Equation's enemy. His goal was to bring all the heroes together again.
A careless group of heroes, a fragile hope, a forgotten Martian Manhunter—Luthor believed he had created every favorable condition. At the cost of his own life, he had lured the Martian Manhunter into the open before the Ark could launch.
Just as Clark realized the full extent of the plan, another tragedy occurred. Luthor had accounted for everything, even his own death, but he couldn't predict every variable. The Flash, who was also supposed to travel to the new planet, was standing too close to Luthor during the meeting.
After bisecting Luthor, the Martian Manhunter attacked Barry. Even with his body glowing with the Speed Force and his lightning-fast reflexes, Barry was still caught off guard, a claw leaving a deep gash on his back.
Everyone saw what happened, but there was no time to react. The Martian Manhunter was not a simple foe. Luthor's death ignited a fury in the heroes. Superman, though restrained, held back no longer. Green Arrow, Canary, and Wonder Woman unleashed their full force.
An explosive arrow detonated in the Martian Manhunter's face, the smoke briefly obscuring his vision. A massive fist of green energy, a construct of the Green Lantern's will, slammed into him, sending him flying.
Diana, wielding the Sword of Vulcan, inflicted deep, bone-exposing wounds with every strike. Even the powerful Superman was able to overpower the Martian Manhunter in a head-to-head confrontation.
With so many heroes working together, the former Justice League member was quickly overwhelmed. In a very short time, he was dead. Only then did everyone turn their attention to Luthor's body.
Someone had already rushed to his side, faster than anyone else.
"Mr. Luthor..."
Clark held up Luthor's torso, tears streaming down his face. He knew there was no point in saying "You'll be okay." He understood the severity of Luthor's injury; his lower body was completely severed. Even though the heat vision meant there was no risk of infection, Luthor was undeniably dying.
"Looks like I messed up..."
Luthor saw what happened: the Martian Manhunter had attacked Barry, and the speedster was now infected. Though the Martian Manhunter was gone, a far greater problem had just begun. He gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile. He, the man who considered himself the smartest on Earth, couldn't create a miracle like Batman in his final moments.
"Boy..."
Luthor accepted his failure and faced his death head-on. In his final breath, he looked at Clark. It was ironic that this boy would one day become his greatest enemy, but at this moment, Clark's next words were the last thing on his mind.
"Boy, you know what I'm thinking, right..."
They had always understood each other on a deeper level. Just as Clark had instantly grasped Luthor's plan, Luthor had a feeling that Clark already knew everything about him.
"I understand. I understand everything..."
"Really? That's great. So this is what it feels like to be understood."
The people who had gathered around Luthor were not there for profit, but because they genuinely respected his strength. Yet, no one truly understood this arrogant genius. Now, in his final moments, someone finally did.
"If you could just go back in time and leave this world right now, how wonderful that would be..."
With those final words, Luthor died. This arrogant rival of Superman had ultimately been defeated by his own brilliant, but flawed, plan. Clark wept, and the heroes around him grieved. Though Luthor had never been a good man, his actions in their final days had earned him their respect as a companion and a comrade.