One Universe RPG: Season V IC Thread

[OneUniverseRPG]

Welcome to "One Universe"
The Marvel and DC Crossover RPG: Season V​

This RPG is similar to almost all others on Superhero Hype boards, except in this continuity, both the Marvel and DC universes are merged as "One Universe".

Gamemasters: Wiegeabo, Byrd Man, Carnage27
Founded by Logan Howlett
Exiled dictator: Johnny Blaze



RULES

• You may have up to three characters, if you are proven player. But one character must be from a different universe than the other two.
• You may choose any character from both universes, but no custom or Amalgam characters such as Darkclaw or Super Soldier will be allowed.
• All characters can interact with each other, it is the same universe.
• Characters from alternate time lines are allowed but must be approved.
• No Killing. Unnamed, faceless NPC's may be killed, but not major characters, or taken characters. Someone else may want to take up the character, or they may be important to another story.
• You can go anywhere within the galaxy except planets already known to be destroyed, such as Krypton, although if you have the ability you may visit the ruins or asteroids.
• You are your character, so act like it. Talk like them, use their dialogue. Do not exaggerate your powers, or pop-up here and there without explanation. BE Your character.
• Several stories can be going at once, and you have the freedom to interact with other characters.
• You must post at least once every two weeks, though it is preferred that you post more. If you go two weeks without a post, your character is up for grabs.
• Be serious, no slander, or impractical actions from your character. Example; "I found a crystal and now I own the world! You're all my slaves!"
• If a major character is applied for, there will be a 24 hour period for other applicants. If there are multiple applications, the GM's will decide who gets the character. Less popular characters can be given out on a first come, first server basis.
• Due to inactivity and uncertainty, all players from the previous season will have to re-apply for their character(s). You may copy/paste posts from a prior Season to use as sample posts. However, you will still have to re-apply with the new applications.
• And of course, all regular rules of the Hype apply.
• Have fun.

_______________​

To apply for a character, please fill out the application below:

"One Universe" RPG SEASON V SIGN-UP FORM

Screen Name:

Character you would like to play:

Powers:

Brief biography of the character's history:

List a few reasons why you have chosen that character:

What can you bring to this game?:

Color and font you plan on using for your character's speech:

How many times do you intend on posting a DAY IN the RPG:

Please provide a sample post with original content in the style that you plan to write your character in (must be at least 5 paragraphs long and contain at least 3 line of dialogue):

Do you know how to post pictures on the hype boards?:

___

Roster


For a complete and updated roster, please see the "Out of Character" (OOC) Thread
​

New to RPGing?

• RPG 101

• RPG 101 Review

• RPG Terms and Player Etiquette

 

[Eddie Brock]

"Smallville? Smallville? Smallville."

I'm snapped out of my train of thought by Lois's raised tone. Trying to loosen the cobwebs, I shake my head. It's amazing how, even with my superhearing, I can sometimes go into this "zone" where I drown everything else out. My mind's been elsewhere. Between Luthor and his Registration Act and the recent developments between myself and Lois, I've had a lot of trouble staying focused on the here and now.

"I need to use the copier," Lois announces, clearly coming to the end of her typically short patience. She holds up the papers she wants to copy as proof of her claim.

I shake my head again. I'm usually much sharper than this, despite my efforts to appear otherwise. "Oh, right," I say dumbly. I shuffle to the side so Lois can use the copier. Part of me wants to go back to my desk and just zone out, but I don't leave right away. Clearing my throat, I say, "Lois?"

"Yeah, Smallville?"

"About last week," I begin, referring to our botched attempt at a date. Of course, how was I to know that Lois's father was going to make a surprise visit?

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that again," Lois concedes. Her back's still turned to me as she stands at the copier. I can tell by her tone that she's genuinely sorry. What I can't tell is whether she's sorry about her father or sorry that our date didn't work out. "I had no idea the General was going to drop in. He always tries to surprise me when he's in town."

I smirk a little as Lois refers to her father as "the General." Sometimes, Lois seems to act like she is the one in the military. I guess her father ran a tight ship when she was growing up. It makes a lot of sense when I think about how she acts.

Lois finishes her copy job and turns around. Smiling, she presses the papers against my chest and says, "Chin up, Smallville. I'm willing to give you another shot."

"Oh?"

Smirking to herself, Lois walks out, leaving me standing alone in the copy room with a dumb look on my face.

***

"Sam, good to see ya! Please, please, have a seat. Cigar?"

General Sam Lane waves off his friend, smilingly politely at the offer. He removes his cap and pulls up a chair next to the desk. Setting the cap down on his knee, General Lane leans back and puts his arms on the armrests.

"How's Lois?"

"Fiery as ever," Lane replies. "And Betty?"

General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross comes into the light, sitting down behind the desk and lighting a cigar. "Betty's doin' just fine," Ross answers. "So, have you considered my proposal? Do you want to work with me, hand in hand, on this project - just like the old days?"

"If it means getting another one of those metahumans off the streets, I'm in."

Ross smiles, chomping on his cigar and pressing the intercom button on his desk. "Send in the Corporal." A moment later, the door to the smoky office opens, and in steps a clean-shaven uniformed young man. Ross motions to the boy, announcing, "Sam, this is Corporal Davis Bloome, US Army. He's our volunteer for the Doomsday Project."
​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Eddie Brock lays in the hospital bed, unable to move. He silently curses his broken body, and his inability to do anything about it. He has spent the last several months staring at this very same ceiling, dreaming of the day he will break free from here and take his revenge on the man who destroyed his life...Peter Parker. A small smile crosses his face as he fantasizes of tracking down Parker and destroying him, the same way that he himself was destroyed.

But then he remembers, he will never again have the chance. Parker saw to that when he stole his other half from him...and then broke his neck, leaving him a prisoner in his own body. With this realization, he curses Parker again, this time for not having what it takes to finish the job, instead of leaving him like this.


"You should have let me die Parker. At least then I wouldn't be stuck like this." He whispers to himself, a renewed anger stirring within him.

As he lay there staring at the ceiling, a sudden movement in his periphery catches his eye. Slowly and with great effort, he painfully turns his head toward the source of the movement, the small barred window next to his bed... and sees nothing. In no hurry to put himself through the torment of correcting his posture, Brock remains fixed there, looking out the window. And that is when it strikes him that something is not quite right.

The night, it's moving. Which can only mean one thing...


"You found me. Come back to finish the job, Parker?" [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Brock whispers, barely audible.

[FONT=Comic Sans MS, sans-serif]No, not Parker. I've come for you, Eddie.[/FONT]

"You...you betrayed me. You left me for HIM!"

[FONT=Comic Sans MS, sans-serif]I was wrong, Eddie. He tricked me. He is evil Eddie, he tricked me into believing that I belonged with him, but it was you all along. [/FONT]

"I'm no use to you now. I'm broken. I'm stuck like this...

[FONT=Comic Sans MS, sans-serif]Let me join with you. I can mend your broken body. I can make us strong again. I can give us the power to get our vengence.[/FONT]

"Yes."

With that, the symbiote slithers in through the barred window and engulfs Eddie Brock within its body. Within moments of being reuinied with the alien, Brock feels his strength return. He feels the nerves that were severed when his neck was broken begin to repair themselves. For the first time in months, Eddie Brock feels whole again. After several minutes of being bonded with the symbiote, Brock feels something that brings him more joy than he thought possible...his toe moved.

He leaps from the bed, free from the confines of his own body for the first time since that fateful night, and lets out a primal roar.

[FONT=Comic Sans MS, sans-serif]"We are back." [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He says as he crashes through the window, leaving a massive hole in the side of the hospital wall.[/FONT][/FONT]

The GCPD security detail, along with several doctors and nurses rush into the room, only to find an empty bed and a hole in the wall. The police officer gets on his radio, frantically calling for backup, letting his fellow officers know that the patient has escaped. However, by the time any backup would arrive, Venom would be gone...far away from the hospital and out of Gotham City. He is going home...to New York.
[/FONT]

 

[NiteMare Shape]

doublepost

 

[NiteMare Shape]

doublepost

 

[Carnage27]

Carnage

The word that's been floating through my mind the past week. The one that's been on the tips of the tongues of all New Yorkers for the past week. The one word that has been showing up at grisly murders all across the city. The police have been scrambling to keep up with everything, but there's no clues, no ideas, and no leads to murders. Including the first one. The murder of George Stacy, my girlfriend's father and one of my closest allies in the NYPD.

I now stand at George Stacy's final resting place as Gwen sobs heavily on my shoulder. She's barely said anything the past week without tears or sobs springing forth. And I can't blame her. I know exactly how she feels, because I went through the exact same emotional rollercoaster she did when Uncle Ben was murdered.

Of course I had the opportunity to catch Uncle Ben's murderer. It's a chance Gwen will never have, which is why I'm going to do it for her. Nothing matters from here on in besides finding and stopping this monster. But even I have no idea where to go with it. There's no evidence in the crime scenes. None at all.

I'm snapped out of my musings as the priest begins to speak by the side of Captain Stacy's coffin, "Grant this mercy, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to Thy servant departed, that he may not receive in punishment the requital of his deeds who in desire did keep Thy will, and as the true faith here united him to the company of the faithful, so may Thy mercy unite him above to the choirs of angels. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

With that, the congregation, beginning with Gwen, steps forward to place roses on his casket. As I do so and pass by I whisper, "I'm going to find him, Captain. And I'm going to stop him."

After the tradition is done, the priests finishes with, "May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace."

People begin t disperse and head for the wake, but before I do I need to do something. I look at Gwen trying to give as reassuring a smile as I can muster, "I need to go do something. I'll meet you there, okay?"

She smiles weakly and nods back, not able to speak. I kiss her on the forehead and walk deeper into the cemetery. After a few moments, come across my destination. I look down and read.

Ben Parker
Beloved Uncle and Husband

I feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I fight them back and begin to talk out loud, "I wish you were here, Uncle Ben. It's at a time like this I need you more than any other. I've lost my best friend from his hatred of what I truly am, and now I've lost one of my greatest allies in the city. I need someone to talk to. Someone that can give me advice to where to turn next. I don't know what to do."

"Peter," I hear Aunt May's voice call as she approaches. I turn to find her smiling, yet sad, at me, "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

"Yea, Aunt May," I nod. "We should probably get going. I don't want to keep Gwen waiting."
​

 

[Byrd Man]

The Former

The unmarked car pulled to a stop next to the crime scene tape. The two detectives climbed out and stepped under the tape, flashing to the patrolman, their IDs that identified them as Homicide.

"Not often we get a body in the Southeast," Detective Sergeant Harvey Bullock said to his partner. Detective Crispus Allen nodded in agreement as he stubbed out his cigarette. Both men walked through the shin-deep grass of the vacant field. Allen managed a smile as he saw a friendly face come into view.

"How's it hanging, Maggie?" He asked the woman in the patrolman uniform. Sergeant Maggie Sawyer smiled and shook hands with her two former coworkers. "Harvey, Cris. Looks like they gave you two plum positions while they shipped the rest of the MCU off to the boonies."

"Where's everyone else?" Bullock asked.

"Not sure on everyone," Sawyer replied. "I think Cole, Driver, and Fields ended up together somewhere in the Western. Montoya got a post in Robbery. Not sure where Lieutenant Akins is, but I'm working for Sarah now. She's the CO of the Southeastern District. Major Essen now."

"So what do we have?" Allen asked. Sawyer nodded and escorted the two men a few feet through the field where the dead body of a woman was resting. "Here you go, fellas. Hope you don't mind, but I did a little looking while I waited on you to get here."

"Better not have ****ed anything up," Bullock snapped. "I know you worked Homicide once upon a time, but that's been awhile."

"Calm down, Bullock," Sawyer said. "I used gloves and made sure I wrote down everything I noticed. I didn't actually shift the body, just went through the pocket to see if I could find anything."

Allen squatted down and looked the dead woman over. She was rail-thin, her shirt and jeans stained and torn. Her back was matted and covered with congealed blood. "If it wasn't for the blood, I'd swear she OD'd," Allen noted. "You manage to find an ID when you went through her pockets?" He asked.

Sawyer handed Bullock a wallet. "No cash, so it could have been a robbery."

Bullock rifled through the wallet and pulled out a driver's license. "Marie Kane, 42 years of age. No cash, no credit cards, but a few family photos. Had to be from a few years ago, Christ that heroin did a number on her."

One picture in particular catches Bullock's eye. "Hey, Maggie, you recognize that guy?" He asked as he passed a picture to her. The picture in question showed Marie Kane with her two teenage children and her husband. "Yeah," Sawyer said. "That's the guy running for mayor, right?"

A look of knowing passed between the three of them as soon as Sawyer got the words out.

"A mayoral candidate's junkie wife found murdered in some Southeastern backlot," Allen said. "****. I can already smell the ****-storm this will kick up."

**********
​

The man walked down the street toward his old house. It'd been ten years since he was in the old neighborhood. He smiled slightly as he passed stoops and remembered all the old memories attached to all the landmarks on the street.

It was a stupid thing he'd done. He'd regretted it from the second he pulled the trigger. Back then he and Mink ran the game on the Eastside. The mob got wind and wanted a piece. The two men had talked it over and they agreed they needed to show force. He'd went out with a gun and looked for trouble. He'd never had a chance to come home. Instead he ran out west. It wasn't until a year ago he even contemplated coming back, once he found out Sal Maroni had been killed. The price on his head was ten years old, and the man who had called for it was dead. So, he'd finally decided to come back to Gotham.

He took a deep breath and climbed up the steps to the rowhouse. The house was still the same. It was still that same off-white color, the paint slightly faded from the last time he remembered. He knocked on the door and waited. He almost didn't recognize the man who opened the door. It had been ten years since he saw Jimmy, he was only nine when all that mess went down. Now, the man that stood before him couldn't be Jimmy. But it was.

"Danny?" He asked. "Is...is that you?"

"Yeah," Danny said. "It's me. How ya doing, Jimmy."

The young man leapt out and wrapped his arms around his older brother. "I...I thought you were dead."

He breathed heavily and closed his eyes, fighting back the tears. It was ten years in the making, but Danny Sullivan was finally home.
​

 

[Catman_prb]

"We stand on the edge of a precipise. The Registration Act has been passed, and very shortly, we will face a radical change in the way that superheros function. I know that this will be a period of change, and all change is turbulent. But I have made a few altercations to the team you already knew about in order to make this transitionary phase easier," Lex said, his voice booming out clearly over the press gathering on the White House front lawn.

The Act had been passed (just barely) although he faced budget cuts from what he originally planned. The entire thing was becoming a divisive issue; people were all for locking up the heroes when they knew it wouldn't actually happen. Which meant that his job would be just that harder. He remembered last year when he had first revealed the Avengers. Now he was doing it again. With a mandate for peace.

"I give you: Giant Man!

Spoiler

"Hawkeye!

Spoiler

"Ares!

Spoiler

"Black Widow!

Spoiler

"And Metallo!

Spoiler

"They are Earth's mightiest heroes, and they are here to protect you!"

----
​

The Khandaqi-Israeli border had been quiet for almost twenty years. The peace brokered between the two countries in the late seventies had been a ground breaking piece of political engineering, a credit to America's status as a global statesman. Nonetheless, the border between the two countries was manned, even with only a skeleton force. They weren't expecting the raiding force from Khandaq, headed by Black Adam himself. No one was. It was a slaughter.

"Today I have committed an injustice. I have taken the toll that was inflicted upon my people from America's allies. Be aware, friends of imperialists. None of you are safe. Not until you move against the monster that calls himself the President of the United States. I will have justice. And I will have vengeance,"​

 

[Eddie Brock]

CYCLOPS

"Scott, I honestly don't know why you're surprised. I have always encouraged my students to make their own decisions, to think freely and choose as they see fit."

"I know, Professor. I just thought you might react differently."

Professor Charles Xavier smiles kindly at me from across the desk. He stirs his tea with a spoon, removing the bag and tossing it aside. As he lifts the steaming cup to his mouth, he says, "If you're asking if I'm surprised by your decision, then I am." He takes a sip before continuing, "But I'm not entirely surprised, to be perfectly honest."

"You're not?"

"No, Scott, I'm not. You have always been one to seek the righteous path, and you will do as your heart wills." The Professor sets down his cup of tea, folding his hands over his desk. He looks at me with his icy blue eyes, and I wonder if he's reading my thoughts. I then realize he doesn't have to. He knows me well enough. "You haven't been the same since the Mutant Town incident, Scott. There's no denying that."

The Mutant Town incident. Hundreds of lives lost. I haven't spoken to anyone since that night - not even Jean. I've kept the emotions pent up deep inside of me, which probably explains why they come gushing out now. "I always thought we were doing the right thing, that we were the good guys. But we couldn't do anything to save those people."

"There will always be losses, Scott. I don't have to tell you that. We simply cannot be everywhere at once. So long as the Brotherhood insists on making this a war, there will be casualties."

I nod. "I understand. I just feel like we could've done more if we weren't hamstrung by our situation." The Professor arches an eyebrow, and I can tell he's curiously contemplating my word choice. I explain, "I feel that had we worked with the military, instead of avoiding a confrontation with them, we could've done something."

"I understand your line of thinking, and I respect it. However, there's no guarantee that cooperation would lead to anything other than our oppression," the Professor warns. "I trust that, given time, humans and mutants can come to a peaceful understanding of one another. I do not trust the President and his Registration Act."

"To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I do either, Professor," I admit. "But the people have spoken. Registration is in effect. And I'll feel much better about myself if I do this." Sensing that the conversation is over, I stand up. The Professor merely takes a sip of his tea, so I start for the door.

"Scott," the Professor calls out, stopping me in my tracks. "If you're going to register, be careful. Make sure you know who you can trust."

I nod before letting myself out of the office.
​

 

[batknight24]

Hal just walks through the corridors, of Galactus' ship,starring down what he used to call home.

Why did I Do It......

He punches the wall in rage, looking down the Hall to see his resting master.

"Master Galactus, We will be approaching Earth later than we thought."
Lying to his Master, Hal follows his command's and stops the ship dead in it's Tracks.

I will give you time to rest my liege
Hal goes to the Flight Dock, and set's his sight's on Earth. He thinks to himself, if he should warn the humans, or not. Finally, He flies towards the bright gleaming sun, and heads to Earth, specifically New York.

 

[Carnage27]

​

I haven't been sleeping well. Not since Captain Stacy's murder. Each night I wake with a start as my spider-sense kicks in for what feels like a millisecond, only to dissipated once I wake up. And a search of my room, house, and yard area turn up nothing. Not a single thing. I've been contemplating going to Reed Richards for some sort of superhero checkup to make sure I'm physically okay, but the notion just strikes me as silly.

Currently, I'm patrolling New York, and secretly praying I run into the "Carnage Killer" as he's been dubbed by the news. Leave it to some journalist to give a serial killer a name and more attention than he ever could dream of. Which is probably what he wants, the sicko. They all want attention. All of the scum.

Crap...I'm starting to sound like Batman.

I try to clear my head and focus on the patrol, but it's more difficult than it's ever been before. Gwen has been such a wreck that it's hard not to think about her, especially when I leave her alone to go out on patrol. Then again she is with Aunt May, and if there's one thing that can turn a mood around is tea and cookies with Aunt May.

I'm so lost in my mind I barely notice the police cruisers speed down the street underneath me. Acting quickly, I follow in pursuit, hoping they lead me somewhere I can help.

Unfortunately my hopes are unfounded. All I find at our destination is another crime scene. Another murder. And another "Carnage" written on a wall. I can't help but shake my head. This guy is as efficient as he is deadly, and I don't know how I'm going to catch him.

But then, something catches my eye. A slight movement from the rooftop of the crime scene. I leap over and find the source of the movement fleeing, now three rooftops away.

Giving chase, I manage to gain ground before he...she...it, shoots a webline a lot like mine and swings off into the night sky. A sight that sends me to my knees.

There's only one person, only one thing, that I know that's ever been able to produce weblines. Only one thing that's ever been able to mimic my movements.

Eddie Brock. Venom.

Looks like I'm going to pay Gotham a little visit.

 

[Carnage27]

Nightcrawler
​

The images play in my mind over and over again, as I sit at the foot of my bed and pray for forgiveness. All those people dead because we couldn't do our job. All those people dead because we failed. It's only been a week since Mutant Town, but already the repercussions have been felt in the Mansion.

The place has been on lockdown since that night. No one leaves the grounds, and everything that's shipped in is searched thoroughly. The younger ones are only allowed outside during the day, and even us X-Men aren't supposed to be out at night alone.

The restrictions have really killed the morale and cheer that used to be alive and well in the massive house. Not that things have been great since Luthor took power in the country, but this has made it even worse. Gone are the days where this place feels like a home. Now it's more like a bunker where we're just waiting for the bombs to drop.

And then there are the whispers amongst the team that Scott Summers, Cyclops, our leader, is planning on signing up for the Registration Act and joining up with the monster. I can't believe it, but the chatter is heating up. And as the old saying goes, "Where there's smoke there's fire."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

​

Eddie Brock makes his way into Mick's Truck Stop several miles outside of Gotham City. Since escaping from the hospital, he has had only one thing on his mind...Getting back to New York and getting his revenge on Spider-Man.

He knows that the sooner he gets there the better, because by now word of his escape has gotten out, and Parker will find out soon, and then he will have lost the element of surprise. Which leaves him here, looking for transportation.

That is when he spots a young woman, probably in her late twenties to early thirties sitting behind the wheel of a big rig. He puts on a big smile and walks over to the rig. The woman sees him approaching and rolls down her window, returning his smile.

"You look lost. Where you headed?" She says with a cheery, bubbly voice.

"New York. My wife and I had a bit of a blow out and she left me here..."

The woman shakes her head knowingly, then reaches over and opens the passenger door.

"Hop in. I'm heading to Boston anyhow, I can drop you off on my way."

"Thank you...."

"Jenna."

"Thank you Jenna. I'm Charles, Charles Allan." Brock says as he climbs into the truck.

"Kill her Brock. Kill her and take the vehicle. She is a liability that we cannot afford." The Symbiote says using it's telepathic link to Eddie as he straps himself into the passanger seat.

"No. She hasn't done anything wrong. She's innocent, like we were once. I won't harm her." Brock responds silently.

"Of course, you're right Eddie. We mustn't punish her for Parker's evil."

As the Symbiote falls silent, Brock leans back in the passanger seat as Jenna starts the rig and pulls out of the truck stop and heads off down the highway toward New York.

 

[wiegeabo]

I lean over the edge of the rooftop and watch the scene that's unfolding on the other side of the street. The police had arrived at the hospital long before I arrived. But that's not surprising since they had already been keeping constant guard over the patient inside. But, obviously, not a close enough watch.

Edward Brock had escaped. And if the hole in the side of the wall was any indication, Venom was back in force.

The only thought more frightening than Venom rampaging around Gotham is the idea of Venom rampaging through another city. A city I can't protect. I know the symbiote's weaknesses. I worked out long ago how to fight Venom. Because one never knows when they'll be up against an opponent. If Venom is in Gotham, I'll stop him.

But if he's not...

I turn away from the scene and make my way to the other side of the roof. Leaping down, my cape slows my fall until I land next to the batmobile. I climb inside and activate the computers, tuning the comm system one of the stored frequencies. I just hope he still carries his communicator around.

I open the line. "Spider-Man..."

 

[Carnage27]

My pocket begins to vibrate, and it wakes me up from my nap on the train to Gotham. But it's not my phone. No, it's my League communicator. I flip it open, and almost jump and the gruff voice that emanates from the other end, "Spider-Man..."

Whoa. Batman's calling. Meaning something's up in Gotham. Almost reasserting and confirming my fears.

I put my "Spider-man voice" on and answer, feeling extremely lucky my train compartment is empty, "Batman, what a pleasant surprise. I'm actually headed to Gotham now. Care for a meet up?"

 

[wiegeabo]

I drive down the street, veering past cars as I change direction towards the train yard once I recognize the background sounds coming over the line.

"I think that would be best. Venom's escaped."

 

[Carnage27]

I drive down the street, veering past cars as I change direction towards the train yard once I recognize the background sounds coming over the line.

"I think that would be best. Venom's escaped."

The words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I quickly respond, "Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes. I've got another call to make."

I need to get Aunt May and Gwen protection. If Venom is coming after me, he won't hesitate to take rash actions.

Quickly changing frequencies, I switch to the Titans line, "To all the Titans in New York, this is Spider-man. I need you all out on patrol tonight on the search for Venom. Big hulking monster with a nasty looking tongue. If found, approach with extreme caution. May be headed for Queens."

Next, I open the window of my compartment and climb onto the train's roof, changing into my costume in the process. I ride the top of the train into Gotham, and leap off when I near the train station. One the building's roof, I wait for Batman, who I guess already knows where to find me.

 

[wiegeabo]

My tires screech, but I keep the pedal pressed down. If Venom is loose in Gotham, there isn't time to spare. Especially since I'm already busy with escapees of my own.

I pull up in an alley across from the station, just in time to see the train from New York depart. I vaguely note it's actually on time for once. Maybe the fates are with me for a change...if I believed in fate.

I step out of the car into the shadows, and watch the train pull away for a moment from the distance. A crowd mills about, new arrivals looking for where they need to be. I see a few people that fit Spider-Man's profile. Young, male, thin framed but toned. But none are quite right. He's not in the crowd. I look up at the dark buildings.

"Are you up there?"

 

[Carnage27]

"Are you up there?"

From my vantage point I see the Batmobile pull up into the shadows of an alleyway next to the train station. Not wanting to waste anytime, I drop down next to Batman, "Long time no see, Batman."

Even though we speak to each other as equals, there's just something about the Batman. He's always intimidating. Always. It's amazing how well he plays his part, even though sometimes I'm not sure it is a part. Sometimes I think this is who he really is.

"I figured that Venom has escaped," I say, beginning the conversation. "There's been a string of murders in New York, and I saw someone swing away from the crime scene."

 

[wiegeabo]

From my vantage point I see the Batmobile pull up into the shadows of an alleyway next to the train station. Not wanting to waste anytime, I drop down next to Batman, "Long time no see, Batman."

Even though we speak to each other as equals, there's just something about the Batman. He's always intimidating. Always. It's amazing how well he plays his part, even though sometimes I'm not sure it is a part. Sometimes I think this is who he really is.

"I figured that Venom has escaped," I say, beginning the conversation. "There's been a string of murders in New York, and I saw someone swing away from the crime scene."

I grunt, raising an eyebrow under my cowl. "String of murders? When?"

 

[Carnage27]

I grunt, raising an eyebrow under my cowl. "String of murders? When?"

"The past week," I shrug. "Fairly random. But a police captain was killed. Captain George Stacy. He was a good friend and ally for me. One of the few I have left in the NYPD since Luthor."

I see Batman's hand clench at the mention of the president's name. I know he hates him as much as I do, but the rare show of emotion is telling just how much he hates him.

"I figured that's why you contacted me," I continue. "To tell me that it might be Brock."

 

[wiegeabo]

"The past week," I shrug. "Fairly random. But a police captain was killed. Captain George Stacy. He was a good friend and ally for me. One of the few I have left in the NYPD since Luthor."

I see Batman's hand clench at the mention of the president's name. I know he hates him as much as I do, but the rare show of emotion is telling just how much he hates him.

"I figured that's why you contacted me," I continue. "To tell me that it might be Brock."

I suddenly make a connection at this news. "The Carnage murders. I've heard of them. The Bugle recently printed the leaked information after Stacy's death. But a week?" I look Spider-Man in the eyes.

"Venom escaped less than an hour ago."

 

[Shlee]

The soft glow of the computer screen lit up the glasses sitting upon the nose of the woman in front of it, shielding her eyes from view. Her bottom lip was pulled into her mouth, held in place by the straight line of teeth above it. Her fingers tapped the keys quickly, the soft clacking sound drowning out the soft whirr of the fan.

After a few long moments, the fiery haired girl sighed and reached up, pressing her fingers against her eyes and rubbing them fiercely. Her body slumped down into the large computer chair, her head leaning back against the leather backing. She sat, leaning back against the chair for a few minutes, her eyes closed while her hands dropped to her lap.

"I'm seeing number sequences even when my eyes are closed... I have to stop for now."

Another sigh escaped her lips as she finally pushed herself up from her chair, swiping the cell phone from the corner of her desk. Her hair was pulled back into its normal pony tail, and she was dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants and a tank top with the "Batman" symbol on it. Oh, sweet irony.

Flicking the phone open with her thumb, she brushed her fingers over the keys, feeling their smooth but elevated surfaces. She stared at the picture on the screen for a long while. It was one she had snapped quickly: her and Peter, sitting on a park bench in the summer time, giant smiles on their faces, kids throwing a colorful ball in the background. It took every piece of willpower in her possession not to press the speed dial to his cell phone. He had moved on, broken up with her, found a new girlfriend. The pain was still real, however.

"Time to move on, Babs," she said aloud, flipping through the options on her phone and deleting the image completely. She replaced it with some generic flower picture and then tossed the phone on her bed. Reaching her arms up above her head, she stretched, twisting one way and then the other to pop the vertebrae in her back.

"Barbara, I'm home!" Her father's voice wafted up the stairs, a welcome sound to her ears. Glancing over at the computer screen to make sure her sequence was running the way it was supposed to, she slipped from her room, quietly shutting the door behind her, and bound down the stairs to greet Jim.

"Hey, Daddy. Have fun?" Babs kissed her father's cheek, taking the brown bags from his arms and heading toward the kitchen as she awaited a reply.

"Oh, you know. It's my favorite thing to do, running to the grocery store for you," he smiled as he spoke, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

She knew he was still upset about the false reports that had been printed, and having his position as commissioner taken from him. She sat the bags down on the counter and began pulling out the food, smiling to herself at how accurately her father had gathered the things she'd put on the list, down to all the correct brand and non-brand name items.

"Don't worry, Daddy. I have a feeling someone's about to find out some really interesting information," she bit into an apple, waving it dismissively as she turned her back to the counter, leaning back against it to look at Jim. "It's just a matter of time."

 

[Byrd Man]

She knew he was still upset about the false reports that had been printed, and having his position as commissioner taken from him. She sat the bags down on the counter and began pulling out the food, smiling to herself at how accurately her father had gathered the things she'd put on the list, down to all the correct brand and non-brand name items.

"Don't worry, Daddy. I have a feeling someone's about to find out some really interesting information," she bit into an apple, waving it dismissively as she turned her back to the counter, leaning back against it to look at Jim. "It's just a matter of time."

"Is that a hunch or do you have some inside information?" I ask with a chuckle. I do my best to put up a front, but I'm sure Barbara can tell it's a ruse. I really haven't been the same since my trip abroad. The events of the past year have taken a major toll on me. It doesn't seem like that long ago I was on the roof of Gotham Central with Harvey and Batman, patting ourselves on the back for getting Sal Maroni into a jail cell.

Funny how that's all went to hell in a handbasket. All that hope and optimism was dashed by one little bottle of acid.

"Speaking of cops, I hope you don't mind but we're having Sarah over for dinner tonight."

Sarah and I have been dating now for a few weeks. I haven't had a chance to fully gauge Barbara's reaction to me dating again.

 

[Carnage27]

I suddenly make a connection at this news. "The Carnage murders. I've heard of them. The Bugle recently printed the leaked information after Stacy's death. But a week?" I look Spider-Man in the eyes.

"Venom escaped less than an hour ago."

I know my mask isn't see through, but I doubt Batman can miss the surprise, and faint sense of terror on my face. Less than an hour ago. Meaning now, not only do I have to deal with Venom, but there's someone else perpetrating the Carnage killings. Meaning my worked just double. Terrific.

After a few moments of silence, I shake the mental haze out of my head and continue, "Wow...okay. That's a bit of a blow, but hey, the life of a superhero isn't easy right?"

"How are things here?"