In Metropolis, Lex Luthor stood behind a podium while reporters and cameras filled the room. His speech was being broadcast live, and he waited until the room settled before speaking.
"Superheroes aren't the solution to humanity's problems. They're becoming another obstacle to human progress."
A few reporters exchanged looks as Lex continued.
"Take Superman. He's an alien with abilities far beyond anything a human being can match, yet we've accepted his presence without asking what that means for us."
He turned toward the large screen behind him, where footage of Superman stopping a disaster was playing.
"Every threat should force humanity to improve. That's how we've survived throughout history. We face a problem, we develop better technology, stronger defenses, and new ways to protect ourselves."
He pointed toward the screen.
"But what happens when Superman arrives every time there's a crisis and solves the problem before we have a chance to develop those solutions ourselves? We stop advancing."
"Why would governments spend billions developing defenses against threats when an alien can simply fly in and handle them?"
A reporter raised a hand, but Lex continued before taking questions.
"Superman may believe he's protecting humanity, and perhaps he is. But good intentions don't change the consequences." He leaned slightly toward the microphone.
"Humanity should not have to depend on beings from another world to survive. That's not progress. That's dependence."
He turned toward the screen, where images of Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and other masked figures appeared.
"And Superman isn't the only example. We have people operating outside the law, deciding who needs to be saved, who needs to be stopped, and sometimes who deserves punishment." He looked back toward the reporters.
"I'm not saying every superhero is evil. Some of them genuinely want to help. But good intentions don't give anyone the right to operate without accountability."
A reporter finally shouted from the crowd. "Then what do you propose?"
Lex smiled slightly. "Humanity needs its own answer."
He placed both hands on the podium.
"We need technology capable of protecting us without depending on aliens, vigilantes, or metahumans. We need to develop weapons, defenses, and systems that allow ordinary people to stand on equal ground."
"If Superman disappears tomorrow, the world shouldn't suddenly become helpless. That is the future I want to build." His expression hardened. "For the first time, humanity should be able to look at a being like Superman and say... we don't need you to protect us."
The room erupted with questions as cameras continued recording. Lex simply stood there, watching the growing reaction with a faint, satisfied smile.
***
After the press conference, Luthor returned to his private laboratory and stopped in front of the machine waiting inside the testing chamber.
The humanoid robot stood motionless, its armored body covered in metal plating with a glowing green kryptonite crystal embedded in its chest.
"Idiots," Luthor muttered. "They keep treating that alien like some kind of god. Let's see how long that lasts."
He activated the machine and watched it leave the laboratory.
Deep in the woods outside Metropolis, Superman landed near the scene of the attack. Several trees had been knocked down and pieces of wrecked vehicles were scattered across the road.
The robot stood in the middle of the destruction. Its head turned toward Superman.
"Superman."
Superman stepped forward. "You need to stop. Whatever you're doing, there are people in this area."
The robot's eyes brightened. "Superman must die."
It charged. Superman threw a punch at its chest, but the robot caught his fist before the blow could connect. The kryptonite crystal began glowing brighter.
Superman's expression changed. His strength suddenly drained away. "What...?"
His knees buckled and the robot drove its free fist into his stomach. Superman was thrown backward and crashed through several trees before hitting the ground. He forced himself up and tried to fly, but his body wouldn't respond properly.
The robot rushed forward. Superman managed to block its first punch, but the second struck his ribs and sent him stumbling across the clearing.
Before he could recover, the robot grabbed his cape and slammed him into the ground. Superman tried to push it away, but his strength continued fading.
The robot raised its fist. "Die."
Superman rolled aside just before the punch hit the ground, cracking the earth where his head had been.
He got back to his feet and swung again. This time the robot caught his arm, twisted it behind his back, and drove a knee into his stomach before throwing him across the clearing.
The robot walked toward him without slowing. A voice suddenly came through its communication system.
"Superman." Luthor's voice was unmistakable. "You've spent years convincing humanity that you're here to protect them." The robot grabbed Superman by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "But you're not a god. You're simply an alien with a weakness."
The kryptonite crystal glowed brighter as Superman's strength continued to fade. The robot tightened its grip.
"Humanity will no longer depend on you." Superman tried to pry its hand away, but he was too weak. The robot pulled its other arm back. "Superman will die."
The punch was already coming toward Superman's face when a large tree suddenly crashed into the robot from the side, knocking it several meters across the clearing.
Superman dropped to one knee, coughing as he caught his breath. A red-and-blue blur landed beside him.
"Cousin, are you okay?" Kara asked, looking him over.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He slowly got back to his feet and glanced toward the robot, already pushing the tree off itself. "But don't get close to that thing."
Kara looked at the glowing green crystal. "Kryptonite?"
"Yeah. It's draining my strength just by being near me."
The robot stood back up and turned toward them. Its eyes locked onto Kara. "Two Kryptonians."
Kara stepped forward. "Then you've got two problems."
Superman immediately grabbed her arm. "No. We're leaving."
Kara looked at him in disbelief. "You're seriously telling me to run?"
"I'm telling you that thing was built to fight us. We don't know what else it can do."
The robot charged again. Superman pulled Kara out of its path and the two of them flew upward before the machine could reach them.
"Move!" Superman shouted.
They disappeared into the sky while the robot stood below, watching them escape. Its speaker crackled. "Target has escaped."
*****
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