Lex Luthor Pt 26: The Training

[WorkoutLA]

Lex Luthor was not the kind of man to follow rules. He felt that rules were too much of an equalizer---something that was unbecoming to someone of his superior intellect. Now that he was so powerful physically he didn't feel the need to compromise: he was going to make the rules here whether Superman liked it or not. Originally Superman & Luthor were scheduled to battle it out one week after they they made their agreement--and it was to take place in a remote location in the Mojave Desert. The following morning Luthor had decided that was not a deal he could live with. He wanted to fight & conquer Superman with as much of an audience as possible with live TV coverage if possible.

He came up with a plan that would satisfy his demands AND give Superman the false impression that he was gaining an advantage. Luthor sent a message to Superman stating, not requesting, that their battle would take place in TWO weeks instead of one. Luthor told him that Superman could use an extra week of training to bring him closer to Luthor's level. Luthor explained that he wanted a REAL fight in which they were more equal--and that would truly prove he was now superior to the Man of Steel. Superman accepted thinking privately that he really could use that extra week. Luthor would use it too--in order to make sure everything was going to happen HIS way.

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In spite of Jimmy Olsen's apologies and remorse Perry White was not impressed or eager to take back the reporter. However, a message from Superman vouching for Jimmy was enough--as well as it containing great news. Although Superman wasn't ready to go public with his return yet and was reluctant to go into details about his "experience", he wanted Perry to know that it would be soon and that he would get the exclusive--but he had to keep it under wraps. As for Clark he reported back to Perry from Gotham City telling him he was working on the Superman story too & would explain later.

As for Lois Lane she also received a call from Clark telling her where he was but she also received a very important call from Superman. As with Perry he explained briefly that he was back but couldn't show himself publicly yet. Lois wanted so much to tell him that she knew he was already back as Clark and that the happiness she expressed was in the knowledge that he was apparently whole again. Being as close as she was to Superman she began to piece together things when Clark Kent returned. She hadn't found out the story behind Superman's amnesia and disappearance although she knew it was a serious matter. Plus it was obvious that whatever had happened was still unresolved. She was worried that there was more trouble ahead than anyone could imagine. That night she would have those fears confirmed.

Superman returned to his Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic with Batman and began his rigorous training. Thanks to what he learned from Jimmy's time with Luthor Superman began lifting massive weights to build up his strength. He had been already aware that his Kryptonian metabolism and physiology were unlike those of Earthlings but it was Luthor's fantastic growth that provided Superman with a perfect example of this. Working out for hours and days without resting was something humans could not do but for Luthor this actually helped him grow faster & see results instantly. In that regard Luthor involuntarily had given Superman the tools to defeat him.

Batman obviously couldn't "spot" Superman but he could show him a variety of weight-lifting techniques to maximize strength training. And it worked. That first day of training Superman felt stronger than he had ever been. He wasn't working for size the way Luthor was but Superman did see a noticeable increase ---and Batman agreed. Batman was pleased to see his advice was helping just as he was gladdened to see Superman was becoming much more forceful and motivated. Batman knew it was this kind of Superman who would be more able to fight the odds against beating the much-more powerful Lex Luthor. Batman & Superman hadn't seen eye-to-eye on crime-fighting methods & techniques but Batman was hopeful that Superman would emerge from this agreeing more. Superman was thinking the same thing, but didn't let on. After one day of working out and admiring the results Superman felt something stirring inside. It was more than pride in his growing body or the feeling of growing stronger. It was a desire to defeat Luthor convincingly and decisively. Luthor had been half-right when he said that Superman wouldn't forgo his code against killing and Superman wasn't about to do that. But there was such a thing called self-defense that Superman could use to whatever extent he needed.

Superman DID need rest and after that work out and flying Batman back to Gotham he slept soundly in his Fortress. Had Batman stayed ad watched Superman sleep he would have seen the Man Of Steel's muscles grow harder & noticeably bigger right before his eyes. Neither he or Superman knew what to expect but they were soon convinced that they were on the right path. Superman's second day of training included running and flying exercises that the world at large would probably never believe. Superman ran at great invisible speed around the world several times and though it took several revolutions Superman did finally tire out. By the end of their training period Batman & Superman predicted that the Man of Steel's stamina would be a huge advantage against Luthor. As for flying, Superman rocketed around the world many times too & took several detours into space --although he had to hold his breath in the airless void. While in Earth's outer orbit Superman felt a surge of strength from the sun---again something Luthor had used according to Jimmy.

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It was on this second day of training that while the increasingly muscular Superman was in his Fortress weight-training with Batman, Luthor was beginning the next phase of his new plans. In the Midwest a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed across several tracks --blocking a passenger train coming in the opposite direction several miles away. Attempts were being made to contact the passenger train and it was these radio calls that Lex Luthor intercepted. As Titan he was already to go into action and ready to surprise the world once again.

A half-mile from the point of collision the huge figure of Titan flew from the sky and landed on the tracks grabbing the back of the passenger train, trying to slow it down without derailing its cars. As his mighty muscles bulged & flexed, a muscular bearded man wearing a deep blue body suit and a muscular blond haired man wearing a red body suit landed together in front of the train trying to hold it back, their boots dragging on the tracks. The train slowed down more & more until it stepped 20 feet from impact. Once again news choppers overhead captured the drama on camera, with the police & firefighters witnessing another dramatic sight. Titan leaped on top of the rescued train with his two companions. As they stayed there people started gathering, news vehicles drove up & the choppers landed nearby in a plowed over cornfield. Titan surprised everyone by flying to the derailed freight train, set it back on the tracked and used his heat vision to repair the cracks & prevent any leakage.

Titan then flew back on top of the train and began a spontaneous news conference introducing his new allies Adonis & Hercules, the first members of his new Titan League. Titan explained that with the world facing constant threats and an existing Justice League seemingly unable to stop them Titan was beginning a new, stronger league. Naturally there was a question about Jimmy Olsen being the "new Superman" and Titan gave a political response "things didn't work out". The new heroes were not ready to answer questions but Titan was their spokesperson. Titan also explained that his recent absences were as a result of his helping train the new heroes and recruiting more. Then they all posed for pictures with Titan yet again posing and flexing for the cameras. I was obvious to everyone there and those watching on TV that Titan was bigger than ever, nearly dwarfing his new heroes.

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Later that night Lois Lane was on the rooftop terrace of her apartment building looking out at the city of Metropolis, thinking about the events of the day, & wondering about Superman. Why didn't he show up today & why was he still in hiding? As she thought of the man in the blue & red tights and his handsome face, she heard a deep but quiet voice behind her call her name. "Lois".

She turned to see Superman standing there on the ledge 20 feet away. She wanted to call out to him but didn't want to give him away just in case he was still trying to keep his return a secret. Even from that distance her heart leaped in her chest at the sight of his heroic stance, the red & yellow "S" emblem on his chest, and his long red cape swirling in the evening breeze.

She walked closer but he put out his hand in a halting gesture. He began to talk in quiet, almost whispering tones

"Lois, dear. I can't stay but I wanted you to know in person that I was back." Lois was almost teary-eyed. "I wish I could explain everything that's happened & is going to happen, but you might not understand. I promise you it will be very soon."

Lois moved closer. She so wanted to feel his arms around her again but stopped herself as he moved again in a body gesture all too familiar to her. He was ready to fly away. "Shh," he said & took off into the night sky into an unknown direction. Lois caught her breath & sighed. "Very soon," Lois repeated his words. "But when??"

At the moment the figure of Superman landed on Lois' roof a much more muscular figure was in the Fortress of Solitude, learning hand-to-hand fighting techniques from Batman.

[iluvbigmen]

Good job! I hope SuperLex embarrases Clark in the fight and the crowd turns to him, and he take Clark's costume... Superlex is so much hotter and strongER!

[big alpha brute]

When we goin to see Titan whoop Supermans ass? And I mean a propa rough housin brawl where Titan turns Supes into his bitch

[WorkoutLA]

I can't promise anything. You'll just have to wait & see where I'm going with this.