The once relaxed atmosphere inside the Fortress of Solitude was gone. When Superman was present, heroes could freely share ideas and debate the future. But with his fall, a crushing pressure descended upon them all.
Wonder Woman, now the last pillar of heroism, felt the weight of it most acutely. She was a natural leader among her fellow Amazons on Paradise Island, but here, among a diverse group of heroes, she was ill-equipped to lead.
Despite her Amazon training and demigod heritage, there was a vast gap between her and ordinary humans. She didn't share their perspectives or their concepts. This was why, in the Justice League, she had always been a check on Superman, never the one in charge. But now, she had no choice but to take up the mantle.
In the face of disaster, strength commands respect. With both Superman and Luthor gone, Wonder Woman could no longer hide.
"Alright, everyone," she announced, her voice strained but firm. "The plan has changed. Many of those who were supposed to follow the Ark to the alien planet will have to stay behind."
She didn't need to say more. Everyone understood. Superman had tried to distance himself from Earth, but when the virus completely took over, he would return and perceive time differently. Not only did they need to launch the Ark Project as quickly as possible, but most of the heroes had to stay behind and prepare for a potential battle with Superman.
"Damian."
Wonder Woman looked at the current Batman. He immediately understood, pulling a small box from his utility belt.
"Bruce prepared countermeasures for all heroes he considered a major threat," Damian said. "Aside from your lies against Diana, I only have Superman's box left."
Wonder Woman nodded and took the box. She didn't need to look inside to know it contained the highest-grade Kryptonite Batman had ever prepared.
It was the only way a mind like his could conceive of stopping Superman. When Superman lost control, the plan was to weaken him with Kryptonite and the Red Sun, then hope he could regain his sanity. Even in Batman's plan, the key to victory rested on Superman himself.
"I have to say... that's so Batman," Green Arrow said, breaking the heavy silence. He desperately needed to talk to keep from suffocating.
This sarcastic remark naturally drew a counter from Damian. "But Batman didn't leave any options for you," he said simply, silencing Green Arrow completely. Being ignored by Batman wasn't a compliment.
"Damn you, Batman..."
The brief banter did nothing to ease the tension. No one knew when Superman would return to Earth to kill them all.
"Tomorrow," Wonder Woman declared. "We don't know when Superman will be back, so the Ark must launch tomorrow. Luthor's plan is clearly laid out. Everyone needs to speed up and follow it."
Everyone nodded in silent agreement. They just had to accelerate the timeline, which was the best outcome they could hope for. Wonder Woman herself admitted she didn't know what else to do; as annoying as Luthor had been, his intellect was unmatched.
"What about Superman?" someone finally asked, voicing the biggest fear in the room. Without a plan to deal with him, they had no confidence.
Wonder Woman understood. She shook the box of Kryptonite in her hand.
"I will go and deal with Superman and buy you all time," she said. "The rest is up to you."
With that, she left the Fortress of Solitude, leaving the heroes to stare at one another. She was a warrior; she would confront this crisis in the only way she knew how: through battle.
The heroes went into action, notifying survivors and counting people. What was meant to take three or four days now had to be completed in one. No one had a moment to spare.
Only Jonathan, Superman's son, came to Lucian's side, watching him carefully lift Luthor's body and walk out of the fortress.
"Lucian..."
Jonathan wanted to offer comfort, but he realized his own grief was too overwhelming. He was in no position to console anyone else.
"Joe," Lucian asked, his voice low. "If you had to, could you punch your father?"
The question was direct and painful. No one knew how the battle between Wonder Woman and Superman would end. But if she fell, the only person who could possibly stop Superman would be his son. Would Jonathan have the courage to strike his invincible father?
"I..."
Jonathan wanted to say yes, but with Wonder Woman still fighting, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He admired his father, but that admiration now twisted into a deep, gut-wrenching fear.
"I understand."
Lucian nodded, carrying Luthor's body out of the fortress and flying toward Metropolis.
In Metropolis, Lucian found the ruins of Lex Tower and the entrance to its secret base. Mr. Luthor, your judgment was not wrong. Jonathan may create a miracle, but I cannot stand by and simply wait for one.
Instead of going inside, he used his heat vision to dig a deep pit nearby. He gently laid Luthor's body inside and, finding a slab of stone from the ruins, simply carved the words: Here lies Lex Luthor, a genius.