Chapter 3: Resurgence of Vartox

Supergirl's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled against the restraints that held her firmly in place. Her eyes widened in disbelief as Lex Luthor backed away, a sinister smile playing on his lips. Supergirl knew that Lex Luthor was planning something terrible.

"Lex Luthor, what's are you trying to do?" Supergirl demanded, her voice tinged with urgency.

But Lex merely chuckled, his gaze flickering with amusement as he gestured towards the figure being wheeled into the room behind him.

"Allow me to introduce you to an old acquaintance of yours, Supergirl," Lex announced, his tone dripping with malice.

Supergirl's eyes widened in shock as she caught sight of the man in the wheelchair, his features twisted in a cruel smirk that sent shivers down her spine.

"Vartox..." she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vartox, the first villain she had faced in her early days as Supergirl, a foe she had believed to be dead after a harrowing encounter that had left her questioning her abilities and her place in the world.

And yet, here he was, alive and seemingly well, his presence serving as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

As Vartox came closer, her heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of the once-dead villain now seated in a wheelchair before her. Despite the shock coursing through her veins, she couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the formidable figure she had once faced and the current state in which he appeared.

Vartox, dressed in a tattered and worn-out outfit, sat slouched in the wheelchair, his once-imposing form now diminished and apparently he looked as if he was suffering from an illness. His attire, once a menacing ensemble befitting a villain of his stature, now hung loosely around his frame, the fabric frayed and faded from wear and tear.

Despite the passage of time, the memories of their past encounters flooded her mind, each one a testament to the resilience and strength that had carried her through the darkest of times.

But even as she took in the sight of Vartox's weakened form, Supergirl knew better than to underestimate the threat he posed. Despite his physical frailty, she could sense the simmering intensity behind his eyes, a hunger for vengeance that burned brighter than ever. Supergirl knew from his look that she could ill afford to let her guard down in the presence of such a formidable adversary. 

Vartox's eyes gleamed with malice as he reached near Supergirl as the person who was pushing the wheelchair positioned Vartox at front of Supergirl. He regarded her with a mixture of contempt and amusement, his voice laced with mockery as he spoke.

"Surprised to see me, Supergirl?" Vartox taunted, his words echoing in the dimly lit room.

Supergirl continued to clench her jaw, her fists hurting from the balling of the fists at her sides as she fought to keep her emotions in check. "I thought you were dead, Vartox. How is this possible?"

Vartox chuckled darkly, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he leaned forward in his wheelchair, his gaze locking onto hers with unnerving intensity.

"Ah, but you see, Supergirl, death is but a minor inconvenience for someone such as myself," Vartox replied, his voice dripping with malice. "And now, thanks to our dear friend Lex here, I have been given a second chance to make you suffer."

As Supergirl struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation, Lex Luthor stepped forward again, a smug expression crossing his face as he addressed Vartox.

"Vartox, my dear friend, I trust you're feeling up to the task at hand?" Lex inquired, his voice dripping with thinly veiled anticipation.

Vartox's smirk widened as he nodded in response, his eyes gleaming with malice as he regarded Supergirl with undisguised contempt.

"Of course, Lex. I'm more than ready to assist you in breaking Supergirl's spirit and bending her to your will," Vartox replied, his voice oozing with malevolence.

Supergirl's stomach churned at the thought of Vartox's twisted intentions, her mind racing as she searched for a way to escape the clutches of her captors.

But even as fear threatened to consume her, Supergirl refused to show weakness in front of her enemies. With a steely resolve, she met Vartox's gaze head-on, her jaw set in determination as she prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"You may have returned, Vartox, but I won't let you or Lex Luthor intimidate me," Supergirl declared, her voice firm despite the tremor of uncertainty that lingered beneath the surface.

"Oh, how valiant of you, Supergirl." Vartox taunted, his voice dripping with venom.

But before she could even escape from the chair and formulate a plan to defeat the two, a henchman came from the shadows and went behind Supergirl to hold her down. His expression remained stoic as he also regarded Supergirl with a mixture of disdain and indifference because of how easily she was captured.

"Ready when you are, boss," The henchman stated simply, his tone devoid of emotion.

Lex's grin widened as he surveyed the scene before him, his eyes alight with anticipation as he addressed his assembled allies.

"Excellent. Now, let us begin."

The tension in the room was palpable as Lex Luthor and Vartox stood united against Supergirl, their sinister intentions casting a shadow over the dimly lit warehouse.