Justice League Unlimited, Season 3

[Lex Luthor's team has beaten Grodd's rebels]

Lex Luthor:
Can any of you give me one good reason to let you live? [Killer Frost steps forward from the rebels, then freezes her comrades without a word] Killer Frost... you've got a future. Get rid of the rest.

Killer Frost:
You got it.

Toyman:
We're here.

[the headquarters reaches Brainiac's coordinates]

Tala:
[To Luthor] Darling, Grodd must have used mind-control!... Okay, maybe not. But baby, you don't ever doubt that I love you, correct? I-, I-, I know I did something bad, I'm a sick person. You don't know what it's like to be me.

Lex Luthor:
Don't be afraid, darling. You still have a big role in my plan. In fact... I can't do this without you. [Volcana knocks Tala out, then, she wakes up being used as a mystical conduit to reassemble Brainiac.] I used to think magic was unknowable, unpredictable, and not to be trusted. You've taught me so much, Tala. Even my wealth of scientific knowledge would never have been up to this task. You will be the mystic conduit that will siphon Brainiac's essence from the debris. I'll be able to reconstitute him from that energy. But I doubt you'll see it.

Tala:
You planned this all along! Even before I-

Lex Luthor:
I'm a sick person too.

Toyman:
Luthor, the collection panels are in place.

Tala:
[panicked] Lex! Please! I beg you!

Lex Luthor:
Hold that thought. [to Toyman] Do it. [Toyman is about to obey, but time stops] I said do it!

Metron:
[appearing behind Luthor] He cannot hear you, Lex Luthor. Time has stopped. We exist between two ticks of the clock. In my travels through the myriad paths of infinity, I have seen the first and the last. But what you do today threatens the entire universe. Past, Present and Future.

Lex Luthor:
I should hope it does. Look, I didn't catch the name.

Metron:
Metron. Scientist and chronicler.

Lex Luthor:
Well, Metron, I'll soon be ready for anything the universe can throw at me. I'm about to become a god.

Metron:
You don't know what a god is. Or what you are unleashing.

Lex Luthor:
"Tampering with forces beyond my ken", and so forth? Nice try. Look, if you want my power, make your move, otherwise you can get lost.

Metron:
You will regret your decision. We all will. [Metron disappears as time turns back to normal]

Toyman:
Twinkle, twinkle, Brainiac, Tala's gonna bring you back! [activates the machine]

Tala:
[last words] Lex! Lex! LEX!

Lex Luthor:
Brainiac! I'm coming! [the machine drains Tala's energy until it creates a mysterious figure which appears with the smoke] People, meet your new lord and master!

[He becomes shocked as, instead of Brainiac, the figure is revealed to be Darkseid, who is now fused with Brainiac and given a new look]

Darkseid:
It seems I have you to thank for my resurrection. Though your world will suffer slowly, I grant you a quick death.

[Darkseid uses his power to destroy the base. Scene shifts to Apokolips, where factions of the Apokoliptans are having a civil war]

Stick:
That rodent, Vundabar, thinks he can rule Apokolips in Darkseid's stead. We'll be the ones who deliver his pestilent corpse to Granny Goodness. [the two sides begin the battle, but before they can, Darkseid emerges and all bow to him] Welcome home, oh, mighty Darkseid.

Darkseid:
Arise, my children. Let this meaningless battle for control end today.

Sting:
Of course, my Lord. We had thought ourselves bereft forever.

Darkseid:
Only the slimmest of chances has allowed me to overcome my death at the hands of Superman. But let the universe howl in despair, for I have returned! [The Apokoliptan armies cheer triumphantly]

Stick:
What is your will, my lord?

Darkseid:
As ever, to search for the Anti-Life Equation, that I might bring order to this aimless universe. But first, Superman must suffer for killing me. His adopted world will die screaming. Only then will I seek the ultimate end.

Kanto:
Forgive me, lord, but to attack Earth would violate your pact with Highfather. New Genesis would doubtless retaliate.

Darkseid:
[smiles] Where do you think I'm going next?

[scene shifts to the Watchtower as a Watchtower employee runs desperately into the room where Superman and the League are]

Employee:
Superman! You better get outside quick!

[The League goes outside and confronts Luthor and the remaining members of the Legion of Doom]

Lex Luthor:
We have a little problem...