WE ARE LEGION!

When the Riddler had shown him his suggested hideout, Lex suppressed by far the largest sigh he'd ever wanted to make. Deep in the dark and grimy swampland of middle Florida, sure enough there was an abandoned facility that was either a water plant or a laboratory. Lex could only theorize, but what he did know was that in his own world he had requisitioned this very same facility in this exact spot for his own designs. How far it had fallen in this other world saddened him. Humanity was stumbling further and further down a darkened path and they would all but destroy themselves soon enough.

But that was he had contacted Nygma in the first place. The government was recruiting powerful allies from another universe, more and more heroes from their old world came stumbling one by one into this hell, and the balance of power shifted farther away from evil and more towards good. In certain respects, he could appreciate that. But humanity did not need good in order to thrive. What it needed was strong leadership. That was something that was entirely lacking given the current ranks of those in power and those aligned with them. What this world needed was a truly charismatic, perfect, unquestionable king. Lex Luthor would give that to them. The first steps involved planting seeds...

That had been months prior. They had reached an agreement. Individuals had been carefully scouted and picked. Invitations had been sent out. The waiting had been done. And now they all gathered around a table in the very heart of this damnable place, and Luthor couldn't wait to leave. He had hoped the Riddler would at least have cleaned the place up, but knew both before arriving and upon finally making his entrance that nothing had been done to clean the stench. This meeting could be over and done in a scant five minutes, and it still would be far too long. Assuming it even ended the way Lex Luthor hoped. No, it definitely would. He had planned everything out already. It was only a matter of getting each individual to fill the roles he had assigned them.

Every introduction was made entirely as Luthor had anticipated. Riddler made a show, attempting to dazzle and impress those gathered and, predictably, failing spectacularly. None of these people gathered would be impressed by anything. They weren't being paid to do so. But Nygma served his purpose at least to be the introductory party and break the silence that would have otherwise permeated until Luthor or the Joker finally deigned to say anything at all. The Clown Prince of Crime went in turn as Lex knew he would, hammering out his typical slew of crazed and rambling dialogue that no sane man could ever invent. He had something to say for everyone. Although Lex was surprised. Was that respect he detected, if diluted by his insanity, that Lex detected in the Joker's tone?

Hardly. But at the very least even the clown held Luthor in higher regard than the others.

Next came Cold. A mercenary if ever there was one. He likely cared more for the money than any of the rest of them, at least pertaining to those he knew. If Riddler and Joker were in it for the attention and to brew utter chaos, Snart was there to make a living by any means necessary. Luthor could respect him for that. At least he wasn't absolutely insane. He knew what he was here for. Luthor, likewise, knew exactly why he and Scarecrow had been invited. Both had a reason for being that even they likely would be unable to fathom until all had been said and done. Although, if they insisted on tempting the Joker, they may expire before they fulfill their use.

Lastly, the wild cards. To start with Juggernaut, he entered and threatened. It was amusing, yet also diminishing his stature. He had the strength to be sure. He needn't say a thing to demonstrate that fact. Luthor had hoped perhaps that at least the unknown factors of this grouping would break the mold of the typical villain he dealt with in the day-to-day. Sadly on merely the first impression, they did not. But Juggernaut would have his uses as well as the others, he need not fret. There would be pay. And his strength would be of upmost importance in the time to come. Then there was the mysterious Doctor Doom...


"In due time, Juggernaut. Rest assured, you all will be compensated appropriately for your time. As for you, Joker, the very reason you were sought out was for your... expertise. I will explain shortly. However, another matter needs to be dealt with before we continue." He approached the table and removed a small, square device from his suit pocket, and placed it on the surface in front of them with a hushed silence. The object was lined with wires on the sides, a screen that glowed bright blue, and a series of buttons -- of which Lex pressed one. Just as soon as he did so, sparks and a harsh, screeching sound erupted from Doctor Doom; and in moments he collapsed in a puddle of metal and cloth. "I'm afraid the esteemed doctor elected to send a machine in lieu of himself. I will inform you all immediately, gentlemen, there will be no backstabbing, subterfuge, or betrayal during the course of our arrangement. I will know if any of you attempt it."

"Now, to business. I'll begin by assuming you all are at least familiar with this new world we find ourselves in. It should require little explanation. By one means or another, we were all brought here in varying circumstances often beyond our own control. I do intend to send those of us who wish to return back eventually, but until then we're all forced to remain here. The eco-political climate of this world is fracturing under the weight of ours and others presence, leaving a rather interesting opportunity for us all. The ability to seize wealth and power. I intend to see our unified goals accomplished, whatever those may be. But the ability to achieve them may very well depend on our ability to function in cooperation with the others."

He paused for breath and for dramatic effect. "But you should all know, our own foes are arriving in this world just the same as we did. Already, Batman and his ilk occupy Chicago and certain cities on the West Coast. The Green Lantern was spotted in Vegas. It's only a matter of time before the Flash or Arrow make their appearance. I am ignorant of your world, Juggernaut, but I gather Iron-man, Captain America, and Thor are all originated from there. My sources claim that Magneto hails from there as well. Whoever your foe may be, they will soon appear. And even if they do not, I assure you Superman will be one of the greatest threats you have ever faced." He swiped the EMP broadcaster from the table, shattering it on the floor. It was such a simple thing to construct. What he placed instead was a projector that shone a display between them, bright and easily visible.

With a raised hand he swiped and tapped at the virtual display. It was technology he would not share, but was readily available to him. Each and every one of them would see the headlines, video footage, news reels... All showing individual events of neo-humans and vagrants and civilians wrongfully accused being arrested and taken, often by force. "This world is carnage. It is falling apart. There is a fortune to be made. You each will be allowed to do as you would normally, no restrictions save for the understanding that under no circumstances are you to harm one of our own. And that I will have unique tasks for each of you to accomplish. Do this, and this world will be remade in our image."

Rather, it would be remade in Lex Luthor's. But they didn't need to know that.

The Riddler @thejoker Captain Cold Scarecrow @juggernaut