Ben 10: Justice Incarnate

The Main Man Part 1

Metropolis

August 5, 11:38 EDT

On top of the Daily Planet, Ark and Superman sat side by side, each holding a bottle of soda pop as they watched the skyline of Metropolis. Superman took a long sip, tired. It had felt like a long month.

After a moment, Ark gestured toward one of the buildings—the unmistakable L-shaped neon sign at the top. "So, what can you tell me about your arch-nemesis?"

Superman rolled his eyes as he looked toward the LexCorp building. "Lex Luthor? Where do I even start? He's brilliant, ambitious, and, unfortunately, obsessed with proving he's better than me in every possible way."

Ark took a swig, nodding. "Sounds like a real pain. What's his beef with you, exactly?"

Superman sighed, leaning back. "It's complicated. Lex sees himself as the rightful hero of Metropolis. He believes he could be the one to 'save' the city if I wasn't in the picture."

"Ah, an "Everyone is the hero of their own story" situation.

"Basically."

"Lex genuinely believes that humanity should stand on its own. He thinks people shouldn't rely on aliens like me or outside forces to save them. To him, my presence is holding Earth back... or at least that's how he frames it."

Ark raised a brow. "So he's pushing this whole' humans first' philosophy?"

Superman nodded. "Exactly. And, in some ways, I get it. It's not that I don't understand the desire for independence or wanting people to find their strength. People like Lex see my being here as a crutch for humanity. They don't see it as a partnership."

"In fairness, it seems like you and other heroes have saved the Earth from extinction a few times. Like, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but that doesn't work when you are dead. Plus, I don't see how the average Joe is supposed to grow from these threats."

"I do what I can to share information with the city and the US government on any returning threats. Superheroes like us won't always be around, and Earth needs to learn to protect itself."

Ark nodded. "That's life. We do what we can. I know several civilizations that fell because they couldn't adapt."

"Yeah... But Lex takes it too far. He sees me specifically as the embodiment of an obstacle, not as someone here to help. Earth is my home, too. To him, my existence undermines everything he believes in."

Ark frowned, letting the idea sink in. "That's... intense."

Superman shrugged. "He wants a 'pure' version of humanity without outside intervention. And he's not alone in thinking that way."

Ark gave Superman a look of sympathy and shook his head. "I don't know, man. You're just trying to do the right thing. As you put it, he could make a difference if he'd just give up the whole 'must-be-better-than-Superman' mentality. He could change the world for the better."

Superman sighed, looking down at his drink. "Yeah. He could.

"I'd rather he just try to do good for its own sake. But Lex..."

Ark scrolled through his phone to see the numerous awards and degrees under Lex Luthor's resume. "Could probably cure cancer but spends his days trying to get under your skin?"

"More or less. It's a shame, really. In his mind, he's probably Metropolis's true savior. He's spent years trying to position himself as the hero. Thanks to his lawyers or lack of evidence, they don't see his less than legal activities."