JB: Interlude: Lex Takes A Trip to the Oblivion Bar

Lex Luthor did not like magic. The Discipline worked on arcane rules that seemed to entirely defy logic and science seemingly at random. Some things worked how you might expect them to, of course, but others, well, let's just say that the Higher Mysteries of Magic would always manage to confound him, as they would almost any man of Science. Some things simply made no real sense, and Lex had long since learned to stop trying to make any sense out of, for example, what made Iron so antithetical to the Fae. You would think that a base metal, which was the fourth most common element found in the Earth's Crust, would not be the bane of creatures which were represented in the folklore of places as far apart as the British Isles, America, and Japan. You would think that something so common would preclude such a widespread pattern of Fae encounters, apparently not, however.

As Lex made his way through the Metropolis Historic District, one of Alan Powers' Men trailing behind him discreetly, Lex grumbled to himself under his breath. He was beginning to tie his brain into knots just trying to comprehend one of the multitude of incomprehensible things that made Magic completely off-limits to him. It was annoying and put him in a foul mood to think about. He was the Smartest Man in Metropolis, one of, if not the most intelligent, people on the Planet. He was able to comprehend physics in ways that almost no one else on Earth could, and bend it to his will to create things of immense power and capability. It made Lex furious that he could not do the same with Magic. He took a deep breath, composing himself as he did so. It wouldn't do to get so worked up over something that he lost control, after all.

While Lex Luthor may have disliked Magic, however, that did not mean he didn't appreciate the utility of it, especially as it regarded the less-than-legitimate side of his various enterprises. Magic Wards could hide a multitude of things, and magic spells could be used to create a multitude of different effects in a great many ways. The ability to build and destroy, to heal and to harm, to even, if the fragmentary rumors that he had come across in his life were true, stall death itself indefinitely, reminded Lex very much of how Science worked. If only they worked on the same principles, or even similar enough principles to be workable, Lex might even merge the two systems into a greater amalgamation. That would be a great achievement, enough perhaps to rid him of the Alien once and for all.

It was this appreciation of Magic's Potential, even if he lacked comprehension of the system of principles it was founded upon, that had Lex Luthor entering a seemingly nondescript brick alleyway in the middle of Metropolis' Historic District. After all, it was here, or so he'd been informed, that the entrance to the extradimensional pocket realm known as the Oblivion Bar could be found. A Haven for mystics of all shapes and sizes, the Oblivion Bar would be the place he would find a Mage or Sorcerer willing to take contract work, Lex was sure of it. He had never needed to visit before, of course. He had never had to deal with a Mystical Obstacle to his operations before now. Even the Alien, with his logic-defying powers, could be explained with Science. This New Alien, however, explicitly utilized mystical energies.

Lex looked over at his assigned bodyguard. The large Man had been a member of the US Special Forces who had gone rogue and been part of the Red Ribbon Army's Cybernetics Program. He had been heavily enhanced with Cybernetics, though the process had required aid from LexCorp Technicians, which was how Lex had gotten him, thanks to a deal he had made with the Red Ribbon Army's Chief Engineer, Doctor Gero, in exchange for a copy of some of LexCorp's Proprietary Data on Cybernetics. Technically, he was attached to the LexCorp Security Force on a detached duty from the Red Ribbon Army, meaning Lex didn't have full control over him. At least that would have been the case if not for the Compliance Circuit that he had his technicians install as part of the Cybernetic Upgrade Package. After all, Lex would never allow someone he didn't have a way to control inside his Company. Not at the level that the Cyborg was at, anyway.

Of course, if anyone had ever found out that LexCorp was engaged in active commerce with a terrorist organization like the Red Ribbon Army, there would be trouble. Fortunately for Lex, very few people on the planet were able to penetrate the Golden Triangle in order to learn about Lexcorp's dealings with the Terrorist Organization. Besides, at this point, the Red Ribbon Army was so close to claiming the entire Golden Triangle that they may as well be the legitimate government in the area. They'd already defeated the Shan Triad and folded its remnants into their own organization, and were close to doing so with the Brotherhood of the Monkey Fist. Once that happened, only the KMT Remnants in the Bitutang Valley and Big Zinh's Pirate Gang would stop them from controlling the entire Golden Triangle.

Once that happened, it was likely the US Government would recognize the Red Ribbon Army as a legitimate government, especially with a little bit of extra monetary incentive from Lex to do so. Lex wasn't worried, accordingly. After all, when that happened, not only would LexCorp no longer have to face sanctions from the Government for trading with terrorists, but Lex would be in a prime position to dominate international trade with the newly legitimized regime, making a fortune in the process and cornering the Market in that part of Southeast Asia from the jump, just as Lex planned.

"Stay here. I won't be gone the whole night." Ordered Lex.

As Lex spoke to him, however, the Bodyguard, Codenamed Major Metallitron, looked back at Lex through the sunglasses he perpetually wore. He frowned at the orders he had just been given and cocked his head at Lex.

"My orders were to follow you in and make sure nothing untoward happens." Intoned Major Metallitron.

"It is magic, Major. If something happens, you wouldn't be equipped to do anything about it." Pointed out Lex.

"If you say so, Sir." Frowned the Major.

"I do say so." Smirked Lex.

And with that, Lex Luthor turned to the nondescript Brick Wall of the alleyway and knocked on the bricks in the pattern he had been told to. As soon as he did so, there was a flash of light, and when the light receded, instead of Bricks, Lex found a wooden door. He grinned slightly as he thought of how easy it would be to hide some of his less-legal operations with magic like this, then forced himself to avoid scowling as he realized that he would never be able to pull this off without contracting someone else to do it for him. Sighing as he shook the dark thoughts out of his head, Lex plastered a pleasant smile onto his face as he opened the door and stepped through into the Oblivion Bar.

Inside, Lex found himself in a smoky room with worn leather armchairs surrounding a number of tables. At one end, a rich, mahogany bar counter ran the length of the wall, while at the other end, a Statue of Hecate, the Greek Goddess of Magic, stood gazing impassively over the assembled patrons. The Walls were painted in a pine green, while the floor was wood, albeit cheaper wood than the mahogany of the bar counter. All around the Bar were various people, human and otherwise. Lex saw a trio of Nordic Dwarves seated at a table, sipping beer out of literal Tankards, while in the Corner, he spotted an actual minotaur that seemed to be drinking wine from an Ancient Greek-style amphora.

Of the humans in the bar, a Man sat in a Mustard Yellow Trenchcoat with a Fedora, as if he were a detective from back in the days of the Justice Society. His Companion, a dark-haired Woman, was thankfully, more sensibly attired in a silk blouse and skirt. Seated some distance further down the Bar was a Man in an Opera Cape who had a fashion sense that was even older than that of the Retro Detective, sipping a thick, dark red liquid out of a wine glass that Lex was fairly certain wasn't wine. Behind the Bar, a Man in a Ridiculous Blue Unitard was pouring drinks, serving a Goateed Man in an Old-Fashioned Blue and White Suit. Finally, at a lone table against a wall, a Red-Bearded Man in a brown hooded cloak with tree bark for skin sat next to another Man in a black suit and Top Hat, around who the shadows seemed to move strangely.

Lex recognized those two as enemies of the Old Justice Society from back in the forties and fifties, Blackbriar Thorn and the Shade. If anyone would be willing to deal with him on a contract basis to help against the Alien Do-Gooders infesting his city, it would be those two. Lex made sure his pleasant smile was still plastered on his face before moving to introduce himself. The two clearly noticed him as he walked up, and Lex gave both men a polite nod.

"Good evening, Gentlemen." Offered Lex.

"Lex Luthor, why would you be in the Oblivion Bar, I wonder?" Questioned the Shade.

"Luthor, that is a name I have heard before. A man of Science, yes? Not the Arcane Arts. I find myself curious as well." Intoned Blackbriar Thorn.

"While I myself don't practice the Arcane Arts, I find myself in need of the advice and aid of someone who does. I have a proposition for you both, if you'd care to listen. Say over a round of drinks on me?" Queried Lex.

"Unfortunately, I have my own affairs in Opal City to attend to. I can't afford to be mixed up in goings-on in Metropolis at the moment. I think I will have to bow out." Demurred the Shade.

"Are you sure? I can offer a substantial fee as a retainer." Asked Lex.

"I have been alive for two centuries now, Luthor. I don't need the money." Pointed out the Shade.

"Indeed, I do not need your money, either, Luthor. However, while I have been alive far longer than my colleague in Mystic Studies, I do find myself curious." Mused Blackbriar Thorn.

"In that case, allow me to pick up the next round, and I'll tell you what I am looking for and what I might be able to arrange for payment." Smiled Lex, pleasantly.

"No need. I am sure a man of your wealth and reputation has access to the roaming Auction House known as the Mirror House, yes? There is an item up for auction there that I require." Intoned Blackbriar Thorn.

"I think this is the part where I leave. However, a bit of Free Advice, Luthor. Magic is not the sort of thing you want to delve into blind. Listen to my colleague, even when he says something you do not want to hear. You will be far happier for it." Warned the Shade.

"I think I know how to take advice from contractors, Shade. I have been using them for most of my life, after all." Scoffed Lex.

"I have said my piece. It is up to you whether you choose to heed my warning or not." Nodded the Shade as he stood.

Then, the Shade grabbed his ebony and silver cane, donned his tophat, and wrapped himself in shadows before vanishing from the Oblivion Bar. Lex couldn't help but be impressed at the level of power on display, even though he would never admit it. After all, seeing a master at work was always something he enjoyed, though he enjoyed it far more when he was the master of the discipline in question. The look on the faces of the poor rubes who watched him put together and operate a piece of machinery that did things that they could only dream of was always gratifying, after all. It tended to remind the rabble of humanity of their place.

"I wonder where he goes when he does that sort of thing?" Questioned Lex.

"The Shadowlands." Informed Blackbriar Thorn.

"And what, pray tell, would that be?" Queried Lex.

"Exactly what it sounds like, Luthor. A dimension of pure shadow where those who have mastered the Mystic Art of Umbramancy draw power from and can enter with an exercise of willpower." Explained Blackbriar Thorn.

"Fascinating. I wonder if such a dimension could be accessed with science?" Asked Lex.

"I suppose it is possible, not that you would wish to do so without yourself being a Master of Umbramancy. However, I was promised a round of beer to listen to your proposal, yet I see no beer before me. This does not bode well for collaboration." Pointed out Blackbriar Thorn.

"Allow me to fix that, then." Offered Lex.

"If you would. Something Dark, please." Intoned Blackbriar Thorn.

Lex stood up and headed over to the bar, where the Bartender was busy pouring drinks. Lex frowned as he got close to the Bar. Now that he was up close to the man, he found him a bit familiar, like a face he had seen somewhere before a long time ago, and simply put it to the back of his mind in the years since. It didn't hit him until he was already heading back to the table with two pints of what the Bartender called 'Erlkonig Dunkel' in hand. That had been Jim Rook, the Lead Singer of the band the Electrics. They had been popular back when Lex had been in High School. The man had supposedly disappeared shortly after Lex had entered College. Apparently, he had spent the last twelve years or so running a Pub in a Magical Pocket Dimension. Lex couldn't understand what would possess a Man who was supposedly making the amount of money that popular music groups tended to make to retire at the height of his popularity and take up running a pub, but then, Lex wasn't an ordinary person. He was far beyond ordinary.

Over the next hour or so, Lex laid out his needs and wants for a Sorcerer who would be on retainer to help him deal with mystical matters of a less-than-legal nature. Blackbriar Thorn had listened, sipping his beer, before telling Lex exactly what he would demand for payment for such services. Apparently, there was a pair of mystical tomes that would be coming up for Auction at the next auction in the Dealer's House of Mirrors, the Ebontome, which could summon Spirits and Demons normally inaccessible to most Sorcerers, and the Magdalene Grimoire, which contained Spells, Mystic Rites, and other Occult Lore that had long since been lost to the mists of time. Blackbriar Thorn had no access to the House of Mirrors for the Auction, but knew that Lex Luthor could get an invitation fairly easily. If Lex were to enter the Auction and purchase both tomes for Blackbriar Thorn, then Blackbriar Thorn would gladly act as Lex Luthor's Mystical Contractor.

Two hours after he had entered the Oblivion Bar, Lex Luthor exited it with a plan and a deal worked out with his future Mystical Contractor. He would call this a fairly successful meeting. He apologized to Major Metallitron for keeping him waiting for two hours before making his way out of the alleyway, only for the Major to tell him that it had only been ten minutes. Time must have passed faster in the Oblivion Bar than in the normal world. Shaking his head at the absurdities of Magic, Lex Luthor made his way back to LexCorp Tower to begin phoning various contacts.

By the next morning, he would have his invitation to the Dealer's Auction, and with it, his ticket to buying Blackbriar Thorn's mystical expertise. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we have the next chapter. Lex and Magic don't mesh well, meaning Lex has to hire a sorcerous contractor to be able to use magic in any meaningful way. That necessitated a trip to the Oblivion Bar. Fortunately, it's Year One, so he didn't have to deal with Constabntine's ass, who is currently still in England doing the Hellblazer thing. However, Lex has his next steps in the plan to hire a mystic contractor now, and is likely to discover Superman's Weakness to Magic when he finally puts his next big anti-Superman scheme into action. We also got a bit more Worldbuilding, specifically about the Red Ribbon Army and the situation with them. It's a very Lex thing to do to get involved with that sort of organization, after all, and I couldn't not have him do it.

Aside from Nightmaster, the Shade, and Blackbriar Thorn, I tried to throw in a couple of lesser-known characters who were present in the Bar. If you guys can guess which other sorcerers and mystics were in there that were unique characters and who I didn't name, you win an internet cookie.

At any rate, the next chapter will have us back with Rugulo's POV as he continues to go about his time in Metropolis. It will feature another run-in with one of Superman's various Villains, though I won't say who yet for fear of spoilers.

Stay tuned. . .