One Universe RPG: Season V IC Thread

[Byrd Man]

We exit the elevator on the X-Men level, and the white hallways are a stark contrast to the mahogany walls of the upstairs of the mansion. Our footsteps are the only sounds that are made in the hall as we head towards the Danger Room. Once there, the two of us change into X-Men jumpsuits and meet Dr. McCoy, who is already in the practice room.

"Vell Professor..." I smile. "I think he's ready. Shall ve put him through zhe paces?"

"Very well. Charles, are you ready up there?"

"Ready on your mark," Charles' voice booms over the speaker.

"Alright, let's start out slow. Put it on my preferences, lowest level."

The white, bare walls of the Danger Room morph and shift to blue sky. The cold floor becomes the front lawn of the mansion.

"Ahh, breath the air in," I say with a smile. "Almost feels real, doesn't it?"

A nearby bush rustles. Conner and Kurt both turn to look while I keep looking ahead. It's much more enjoyable when you don't know what's coming.

"Raaaah," a scream lets out from the bush and a figure leaps from the cover of the shrubs to the lawn.

"Let's see what you can do, Conner. This brute more than makes up for his stupidity with raw strength. See how you fare against Sabretooth."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

**********​

​

Robin and Jamie Madrox prowl Queens amongst the chaos of the fear gas attack, searching for the villain known as Scarecrow.​

"Any idea where he'd be hiding?" Madrox asks. "I've got a bunch of dupes out in the city, but I don't really have much info for them."​

"No clue," Robin shrugs. "Crane being in New York is weird enough. I'd know where to look in Gotham...but not here."​

​

​

From his perch atop a nearby building, Venom watches the pair of heroes as they make their way out of an alley toward a group of citizens who have been affected by Crane's fear toxin, and are on the verge of tearing one another apart.

With the duo distracted, he makes his way down to the street. Venom goes to work, wraping tendrils from his suit around a Volvo, encasing it in sort of a "web."

"Hey!" Venom calls to Robin and Jamie, who turn to face him, just as he hurls the car at them. Robin is able to avoid it, diving and rolling to safety. Jamie however, is struck head on by the flying car.

"No! Jamie!" Robin cries out as he looks over to his friend, lying motionless beneath the wreakage of the wrecked car.

"Hello Robin.We have a score to settle with you." Venom says as his grotesque tongue slithers over his rows of razor sharp teeth.

 

[Carnage27]

"Raaaah," a scream lets out from the bush and a figure leaps from the cover of the shrubs to the lawn.

"Let's see what you can do, Conner. This brute more than makes up for his stupidity with raw strength. See how you fare against Sabretooth."

I stand back with Dr. McCoy as Conner engages the holographic Sabretooth. With amazing speed, he kicks of the ground and slams his shoulder into the Brotherhood mutant, sending him tumbling through the air. I'm amazed at his power, but it's also obvious that he's sloppy and untrained.

Sabretooth slams through the front doors of the Mansion, destroying them in the process. A roar is heard from inside the building. With the other mutant's powerful healing factor, he'll be a tough opponent for Conner to keep down. He leaps out of the mansion on all fours and slams into our new recruit, clawing him across the face.

But the attack does nothing but break Sabretooth's fingers. Conner responds by blasting him in the chest with lasers from his eyes and hammer tossing Sabertooth over the horizon.

"Mein Gott," is all I can muster in a weak whisper at the display of power.

 

[Byrd Man]

I stand back with Dr. McCoy as Conner engages the holographic Sabretooth. With amazing speed, he kicks of the ground and slams his shoulder into the Brotherhood mutant, sending him tumbling through the air. I'm amazed at his power, but it's also obvious that he's sloppy and untrained.

Sabretooth slams through the front doors of the Mansion, destroying them in the process. A roar is heard from inside the building. With the other mutant's powerful healing factor, he'll be a tough opponent for Conner to keep down. He leaps out of the mansion on all fours and slams into our new recruit, clawing him across the face.

But the attack does nothing but break Sabretooth's fingers. Conner responds by blasting him in the chest with lasers from his eyes and hammer tossing Sabertooth over the horizon.

"Mein Gott," is all I can muster in a weak whisper at the display of power.

"Bravo, Conner. It appears we may have underestimated you."

He smiles and floats in the air towards us. "What else have you got?"

"I have another exercise in mind. This one is not so much a test of strength, as it is a test of the mind. In this challenge, teamwork will save the day."

I look up into the sky and shot. "Charles, let's run simulation 314, nighttime invasion. If it appears we are too overwhelmed, feel free to abort."

The sky shifts and darkens in a few seconds, leaving the three of us basked in the stars of the clear night. A wind kicks up and the whining noise of an engine fills the air.

"Targets acquired," the Sentinel announces as it appears through the treeline. "Commencing Mutant eradication protocol."

 

[Carnage27]

​

"No! Jamie!" Robin cries out as he looks over to his friend, lying motionless beneath the wreakage of the wrecked car.

"Hello Robin.We have a score to settle with you." Venom says as his grotesque tongue slithers over his rows of razor sharp teeth.

"Venom," Robin growls as the two combatants circle each other. "It hasn't been long enough. Spider-man should have killed the symbiote when he had the chance."

Robin quickly grabs a few flash bangs from his belt and tosses them directly at the hideous alien's face. The Boy Wonder knows he can't win this fight if it devolves into a fist fight. He has to rely on his smarts, and hope that Venom makes a mistake.

As the flash grenades go off in the monster's eyes, Robin vaults himself into his chest knocking him off his feet. The monster rolls and attempts to regain his bearings, and Robin clicks the communicator on his belt, sending a distress message to the other Titans.

**********

As I swing through the chaotic city, my communicator beeps on my belt, and I flip it open to reveal an urgent message from Robin. I turn to face Johnny, who is on patrol with me, "Johnny! Robin just sent a distress signal! I'm gonna go find him! You stay on this patrol and be careful!"

"Sure thing boss!"
​

 

[Carnage27]

The sky shifts and darkens in a few seconds, leaving the three of us basked in the stars of the clear night. A wind kicks up and the whining noise of an engine fills the air.

"Targets acquired," the Sentinel announces as it appears through the treeline. "Commencing Mutant eradication protocol."

As the giant mechanical man descends down towards us, I smile over at Conner, "Vell, zhis outta be fun!"

BAMF

I disappear in a cloud of purple smoke and reappear on the machine's shoulder. It attempts to swat me off like a fly, but a blue cannon ball smashes across its face before it can strike me. The furball spins and lands on the shoulder next to me, and smiles.

"Nothing like zhe classics, eh professor?" I smile at Beast as Conner strikes the sentinel in the chest with his heat vision.

 

[Byrd Man]

As the giant mechanical man descends down towards us, I smile over at Conner, "Vell, zhis outta be fun!"

BAMF

I disappear in a cloud of purple smoke and reappear on the machine's shoulder. It attempts to swat me off like a fly, but a blue cannon ball smashes across its face before it can strike me. The furball spins and lands on the shoulder next to me, and smiles.

"Nothing like zhe classics, eh professor?" I smile at Beast as Conner strikes the sentinel in the chest with his heat vision.

"Indeed."

The Sentinel stumbles back from the blast of heat vision. I spring off my heels and pop out my claws in mid-air, bringing the across the Sentinel's eyes as I fall to the ground next to Conner.

"Effective, but my attack was one of a temporary nature."

The robot's foot comes into view, preparing to crush us. Conner throws his arms up and stops the foot from coming down. He grits his teeth and pushes, sending the Sentinel airborne and knocking it off its feet. Kurt disappears in a puff of smoke as the mutant hunting machine falls to the ground with a loud crash.

 

[Carnage27]

I reappear next to Conner and the fallen Sentinel and I slap him on the back, "Geez...you are strong."

Beast lands next to me and I look over at him, "Looks like we've found a secret veapon, professor."

Conner laughs, "I know you're joking, but I'm not here to be a weapon, Kurt. I want to help people. Like you guys do."

"I know, mein friend," I smile. "Velcome aboard."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Venom," Robin growls as the two combatants circle each other. "It hasn't been long enough. Spider-man should have killed the symbiote when he had the chance."

Robin quickly grabs a few flash bangs from his belt and tosses them directly at the hideous alien's face. The Boy Wonder knows he can't win this fight if it devolves into a fist fight. He has to rely on his smarts, and hope that Venom makes a mistake.

As the flash grenades go off in the monster's eyes, Robin vaults himself into his chest knocking him off his feet. The monster rolls and attempts to regain his bearings, and Robin clicks the communicator on his belt, sending a distress message to the other Titans.

**********​

"Our turn." Venom says as he snares Robin with a web-like tendril.

Venom brings the young hero close to him, holding Robin just inches from his monsterous face, and runs his long slithering tongue across his face.

"You helped Spider-Man take everything from us. You helped him break us. You are just as responsible for what has happened to us as he is...and now we're going to make you pay."

Robin struggles to get free from the tendril, but as he reaches into utility belt, Venom reaches out, violently grabbing him by the face, almost as if palming a basketball, and slams him headfirst into the pavement.

"We were innocent once, but Spider-Man destroyed our innocence...and you helped him. You are just as guilty as he is."

Venom raises Robin up again to look him in the eyes. He flashes the young hero a toothy grin just before he drives him back down into the pavement again. This time, Venom instantly whips Robin back up and then hurls him into the wall.

"We will kill him, you know. We will slowly peel the flesh from his bones. We will listen to his screams, we will listen to him beg for death. And once we decide that he has suffered enough, we will end him...But not before we take from him what he has taken from us. Everything."

Venom grabs the battered and bloody hero, hitting him with several hard punches that snaps Robin's head back with each impact. As he holds Robin, Venom quickly extends his suit, almost as if firing another tendril, this time driving Robin hard into the wall of one of the buildings which makes up the alley. The impact is so hard, you can hear the sounds of bones being broken and crushed as he is driven into the wall.

Venom begins to walk away from the alley, then stops. He grips a dumpster which sits to the side, easily lifting it over his head.

"Starting with you." He says as he hurls the dumpster at Robin, which crushes him beneath its weight upon impact.

 

[wiegeabo]

I stand up. I've worked with Jim enough to know when a conversation is over. Although it's usually me ending them.

I stick out my hand and shake his. "Thanks for your time, Jim. And for the advice. I'll have to follow up on it."

Jim shows me to the door, but just before I leave, I stop. "Oh, and if you're tired of watching soap operas, and assuming I don't win this thing, I have a security position in Wayne Enterprises you might be interested in. And no, it's not security guard," I say with a smile.

"It's just head of corporate security. Globally. If you're interested. Let me know and we'll set something up." With that, I take my leave.

I take a sip of my coffee and watch the people walk by the cafe as I sit outside on a sunny day. Yes, despite what people think, and what I usually see, Gotham can be a bright and sunny place.

Alfred always gets after me for not taking breaks. He'll never understand that ninety-nine percent of the time, that's the last thing I can afford to do. But, for once, I find myself with not only a few minutes of free time, but the desire to actually enjoy it.

And so I sit outside this little cafe, sipping my drink, and people watching in the sunshine. Unfortunately, some habits are hard to turn off.

A man walks by. Recently divorced, cheated on his wife, explaining the breakup, doctor, most likely a surgeon.

I glance at a woman and sum up her life with everything I see. Mother of two, yet a career minded woman. Plays tennis, but broke her playing arm several months ago.

A man walks past us with his young son. Day laborer, likely a construction worker. The boy is either his stepson, or is adopted. A father spending the day with his adopted son...

I shake my head as my phone rings. I tap the bluetooth earpiece.

"Wayne."

"Master Bruce."

I grin. "How's it going Alfred?"

"I currently am in downtown Gotham, being followed by a gaggle of news vans." Despite the annoyance in his voice, he's actually enjoying this. "But that is not why I called, sir."

I throw a generous tip on the table and stand up. I take a large swig of coffee as I walk over to the car. "What's happening?"

"It seems that Dr. Crane has decided to make trouble for the city of New York, sir."

I sigh. "So he ended up there after all." Now I'm glad I gave Spider-Man all of that antidote.

"Yes, sir. New reports say there has been an outbreak of fear toxin in the city, but the Teen Titans re on scene."

I grunt with approval and start driving towards the country side. Better to stay on top of things from the cave. "How goes it so far?"

"Reports are sketchy at the moment, sir. But I haven't been able to contact Master Dick yet."

"He's probably too busy. I'm heading back home now. I'll stay on top of the situation from there."

"Very good, Master Bruce. I will give you time to arrive, then meet you at the mansion."

"Good." I hang up and turn on the road that will take me home.

 

[Byrd Man]

I reappear next to Conner and the fallen Sentinel and I slap him on the back, "Geez...you are strong."

Beast lands next to me and I look over at him, "Looks like we've found a secret veapon, professor."

Conner laughs, "I know you're joking, but I'm not here to be a weapon, Kurt. I want to help people. Like you guys do."

"I know, mein friend," I smile. "Velcome aboard."

"Yes, welcome."

The landscape around us fades back into the white walls and floors of the Danger Room.

"While helping is one of our main focuses here, teaching is also a high priority. There is no doubt you are powerful, but control may be an issue. It's already hard being a teen and dealing with your growing and changing body, but superpowers on top of that? It's a trying task indeed. That's why we include Danger Room sessions into our curriculum. Daily sessions here on top of your regular classes."

"So kinda like gym class?"

"Yes, except our version of dodgeball involves fifty foot high killer robots."

"Now that that is done," Charles says from over the PA system. "I would wonder if Kurt and Conner would accompany Jean to the cafeteria for dinner? I would like a word in private with Doctor McCoy. We shall be along shortly."

 

[Carnage27]

As I swing through Queens towards the location of Robin's distress signal, and once I reach it, the sight is worse than I could have imagined. On one side of the street Jami lays crushed under a car, clearly unconscious. And on the other side, Robin lies in a similar position under a dumpster.

And in the middle of the street, Venom stands like a lion ready to pounce on their bodies. I fire weblines to the sides of the building I'm standing on and fire myself into an unsuspecting Venom, sending him flying through the front of a house, whose occupants I can only imagine are one of the thousands, possibly millions, now rioting in the streets.

Not allowing him to regain his footing and attack me, I fire a webline to a manhole cover and spring myself into the house with the cover in my hand and smash him across the face with it, "Venom! It's been so long! You drop into town and you don't call before hand! I'm hurt!"
​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

As I swing through Queens towards the location of Robin's distress signal, and once I reach it, the sight is worse than I could have imagined. On one side of the street Jami lays crushed under a car, clearly unconscious. And on the other side, Robin lies in a similar position under a dumpster.​

And in the middle of the street, Venom stands like a lion ready to pounce on their bodies. I fire weblines to the sides of the building I'm standing on and fire myself into an unsuspecting Venom, sending him flying through the front of a house, whose occupants I can only imagine are one of the thousands, possibly millions, now rioting in the streets.​

Not allowing him to regain his footing and attack me, I fire a webline to a manhole cover and spring myself into the house with the cover in my hand and smash him across the face with it, "Venom! It's been so long! You drop into town and you don't call before hand! I'm hurt!"​

"Parker! We've waited so long for this moment. We've broken your friends, and now...we will kill you!"

 

[Carnage27]

Conner and I leave the Danger Room and head back to our respective quarters to shower before heading to the mess for dinner. On the way towards the dining hall, I run into Pete, Amara, and Danielle Moonstar. "Hey guys, heading for dinner?"

"You bet," Amara smiles, slipping her hand into mine. The two of us have started a relationship...I guess. My X-Men duties have her worried, and I don't really blame her. But it is nice to have someone who looks past my exterior. "Care to join us?"

"Yea," I nod. "But I vas going to wait for-"

"Looking for me?" Conner says as he comes up behind me. With him standing next to Pete, any normal person would be intimidated. "Hi everyone, I'm Conner. I guess I'm the new guy."

After the introductions are through, the five of us head to the mess, where I see a lot of girls giving Conner the eye. Well, at least he's got that wish down since coming here.

We grab a table, and are quickly joined by Bobby "Iceman" Drake, who looks incredibly angry. "What's going on, Bobby?" Pete asks.

"Just listen," he says, taking his earphones out and turns the speaker up on his phone.

Instantly, an empowered and angry voice springs from the device, "And my fellow children of God there is only one undeniable evil in our great country today. Mutant kind!" Cheers erupt from the preachers parishioners in attendance. "Yes, my brothers and sisters, you know what I speak of. But there are those that do not! They see these freaks as some sort of saviors. Some sort of heroes. But this is where the true danger of the mutants shows its face. They are not here to save! They are not here to help! There is but one who does that! Our lord! No, they are not here to help. They are here to test us. They are here to test our faith. And instead of falling into the temptation of false idols we must stay faithful and vigilant against this mutant antichrist!"

With that Bobby flicks the speakers off, "His name is Reverand Graydon Creed. Rogue told me about him the other day. Apparently he's gathering quite a following."

"Vhat kind of man of God vould spew such hate?" I respond with disgust. "If zhere is anything I have learned, God loves all his creations."

"It's just another power hungry moron who sees an opportunity to get a leg up in a crazy world," Pete adds.

"Yea," Conner nods. "And at a time like this there's enough crazy to fuel his fire."

"Velcome to zhe world of mutants, mein friend," I smile at our new recruit.

 

[Byrd Man]

Charles and I watch from the observation room as Kurt and Conner leave the Danger Room.

"Charles, what's going on? You said you wanted to-"

He quickly holds a finger up to silence me.

I believe this conversation would be better served if it took place outside the normal channels of communication. You never know who may be listening. Just talk with your thoughts, I can take care of the rest.

Well, what's so important?

While you and Kurt were in the Danger Room, I looked over the result of Conner's tests. While I defer to you in the field of genetics, I know enough to know that something isn't right.

Charles hands me the results and I scan them over.

"Oh, my stars and garters."

I look up at Charles with my mouth open.

His DNA sequence isn't normal. The acids are misshapen. It's-

Not human?

But he still has the X-gene.

I tap one of the sections of genetic code.

See it here? As far as I know, the gene is unique to humans. In fact, if you look at the sequence, you can see other genes for humans. I'm not certain, Charles, but I think that if Conner is something else, he's still part human.

We need to find out what we can about Conner's parents. Who they are, where they come from. They passed my initial background check, but we can go deeper. I'd like this to stay as quiet as possible.

Of course. If possible, I would like to bring another person into it to help search Conner's past. Perhaps Logan?

We require a more...subtle approach to this. Kurt was along with us when we recruited him, so it seems natural to bring him in on this.

Very well. I'll talk to him after dinner and we'll decide on how to move forward.

"Excellent," Charles says.

"Well, we should head to the mess before there's nothing left. You know how out of control things get on chicken fingers night."

 

[Carnage27]

Nightcrawler
​

After dinner our group of friends head back towards our rooms for some rest and relaxation, which here usually means Super Smash Brothers. But on the way, I run into Dr. McCoy and Professor Xavier, "Kurt, I was wondering if we could talk to you in private."

I follow the two professors into Xavier's study, and have a seat as prompted by the man in the wheelchair, "Vhat's going on?"

 

[Carnage27]

​

"Parker! We've waited so long for this moment. We've broken your friends, and now...we will kill you!"

"Ugh, Venom you are just not adept at the banter game. It's always 'We've waited so long' or 'We're going to kill you'."

Venom smacks me off him with a symbiote tendril, and I fly through the wall of the house back into the chaotic New York night. Venom springs out of the hole I left with my exit, and I act quickly, webbing a door off the car that currently lies over Jamie.

Venom slams into it hard, and sends it flying back at me. It strikes me in the chest and knocks the wind out of me, which Venom uses to his advantage. He snares me in a tendril and spikes me hard into a tree.

I fall to the ground and he lunges at me. Luckily I manage to bring my foot up and catapult him straight into the same tree, which buys me some time. But I know it won't be enough to keep the creature down. He's fueled by his rage and will never stop until he gets what he wants.

And I know I can't let this fight go on for too long, because he'll outlast me.

 

[Byrd Man]

Nightcrawler
​

After dinner our group of friends head back towards our rooms for some rest and relaxation, which here usually means Super Smash Brothers. But on the way, I run into Dr. McCoy and Professor Xavier, "Kurt, I was wondering if we could talk to you in private."

I follow the two professors into Xavier's study, and have a seat as prompted by the man in the wheelchair, "Vhat's going on?"

"We wanted to have a talk with you...but somewhere out of earshot."

I chuckle when I see the confused look on Kurt's face.

"Don't worry, everything's fine. We just need someone we can trust."
"Just take a deep breath, Kurt. Close your eyes and we can start."

He takes a breath and I close my eyes. When I open them, the three of us are in a small backyard with the afternoon sun shining down and a summer breeze lofting in the air.

"I figured this would be a more enjoyable place to hold this conversation," a standing Charles says as he turns to Kurt and I. "We're currently inside my mind. An old memory of mine. This was where I spent most of my summers as a boy. I still sometimes retreat to this location if I need a place to think and collect my thoughts."

Charles guides us across the lawn to a patio table and chairs. I look around in awe.

"Shared dream consciousness. I always thought it was mere speculation and movie magic at best."

"For a powerful psychic, it can be very real. It's capable off the silver screen."

I sit down in a chair across from Charles. He reaches for the tea set sitting on the table and motions for Kurt to sit.

"Please, sit. As I said, we wanted to discuss something outside normal means of communication. It specifically relates to our newest student. Hank, Kurt, care for tea?"

"Oh, yes please."

"Two sugars, yes?"

"Yes. It's almost as if you can read my mind."
Charles chuckles and pours the liquid into a spare cup before mixing in two sugar cubes. I take it from his hands and sip gingerly.

"Yes, Kurt....it appears Conner is not exactly what we thought he was."

 

[Carnage27]

"Please, sit. As I said, we wanted to discuss something outside normal means of communication. It specifically relates to our newest student. Hank, Kurt, care for tea?"

"Oh, yes please."

"Two sugars, yes?"

"Yes. It's almost as if you can read my mind."
Charles chuckles and pours the liquid into a spare cup before mixing in two sugar cubes. I take it from his hands and sip gingerly.

"Yes, Kurt....it appears Conner is not exactly what we thought he was."

Professor Xavier places a cup of tea in front of me and I take a sip, "What do you mean? A spy for the government or something? He seems alright to me. And he seems to be getting along with everyone."

If Conner's been fooling all of us, I'm not sure how I'll react. He definitely has grown on me in this short time, and seemed like he'd be a great friend to me and the others. And if it ends up that we have to fight him, I don't know if we'll stand a chance. His powers are amazing.

 

[Byrd Man]

Professor Xavier places a cup of tea in front of me and I take a sip, "What do you mean? A spy for the government or something? He seems alright to me. And he seems to be getting along with everyone."

If Conner's been fooling all of us, I'm not sure how I'll react. He definitely has grown on me in this short time, and seemed like he'd be a great friend to me and the others. And if it ends up that we have to fight him, I don't know if we'll stand a chance. His powers are amazing.

"If he's a spy, he's certainly a clever one."

"Ashamed as I may be to admit it, I actually did a cursory viewing of his thoughts during dinner. I saw no indication of foul play."

"I think we can rule that out. What bothers us is the results of his DNA test. It appears to us that while he carries an x-gene, half of his genetic code is non-human. Alien."

"The powers we've seen don't come from his x-gene. It's from his biology."

"Yes, it would appear that Conner is half Kryptonian."

 

[Carnage27]

"If he's a spy, he's certainly a clever one."

"Ashamed as I may be to admit it, I actually did a cursory viewing of his thoughts during dinner. I saw no indication of foul play."

"I think we can rule that out. What bothers us is the results of his DNA test. It appears to us that while he carries an x-gene, half of his genetic code is non-human. Alien."

"The powers we've seen don't come from his x-gene. It's from his biology."

"Yes, it would appear that Conner is half Kryptonian."

The revelation hits me like a ton of bricks. Kryptonian? How is that possible. The only two known Kryptonians alive are Superman and Supergirl, and I very much doubt either of them have had children with a human. That's something that would have been all over the tabloids.

"Mein Gott," I manage to whisper. "But how? Neither of his parents vere Kryptonian. And Superman or Supergirl couldn't be his parents..."

 

[Byrd Man]

The revelation hits me like a ton of bricks. Kryptonian? How is that possible. The only two known Kryptonians alive are Superman and Supergirl, and I very much doubt either of them have had children with a human. That's something that would have been all over the tabloids.

"Mein Gott," I manage to whisper. "But how? Neither of his parents vere Kryptonian. And Superman or Supergirl couldn't be his parents..."

"That's the whole mystery of the situation and that is why we've called you here."

"Charles would like the two of us to investigate Conner's past and his parent's past. Maybe we can crack the mystery of who he is and where he comes from."

"Given the highly sensitive nature of this assignment, this never leaves this place. If we need to talk and confer, then we do it here in our minds."

"I agree. No spoken words about what we are doing if we are here in the mansion."

"I would say the place to start the hunt would be in Metropolis. This task before the two of you is important to the future of our team, and possibly the future of mutants. If Conner were to fall into the wrong hands. He could be turned into a weapon, to be used by all the wrong people. People like the president."

"And Magneto. No offense, Charles."

"I understand. Regardless of the manipulator, the results would be disastrous. I wish the both of you the best of luck in trying to figure this out. I am almost certain you will need all the help you can get."

 

[Carnage27]

"So vhen do ve start?" I ask Professor McCoy. "Straight away? Or should ve wait to deter suspicion?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Ugh, Venom you are just not adept at the banter game.It's always 'We've waited so long' or 'We're going to kill you'."

Venom smacks me off him with a symbiote tendril, and I fly through the wall of the house back into the chaotic New York night. Venom springs out of the hole I left with my exit, and I act quickly, webbing a door off the car that currently lies over Jamie.

Venom slams into it hard, and sends it flying back at me. It strikes me in the chest and knocks the wind out of me, which Venom uses to his advantage. He snares me in a tendril and spikes me hard into a tree.

I fall to the ground and he lunges at me. Luckily I manage to bring my foot up and catapult him straight into the same tree, which buys me some time. But I know it won't be enough to keep the creature down. He's fueled by his rage and will never stop until he gets what he wants.

And I know I can't let this fight go on for too long, because he'll outlast me.

Venom hits the tree and slumps to the ground for a moment, but the surprise of the Web Slinger's counter does not last and he quickly gets back to his feet.

He has waited a very long time for this moment, and he would be happy to end the Wall Crawler right here and now. However, that would be too merciful. For all that Peter Parker has done to him, the pest must be made to suffer.

Parker will know pain, just as Eddie Brock has been forced to endure it.

"We will destroy you Parker, but not just yet. We want to see you suffer first. Only when you've fallen as far as we have, will we let you die." Venom says as he wraps a tendril around the base of the tree and pulls, snapping it in two. As Spider-Man dodges the falling tree trunk, Venom catapults himself to the roof of a nearby building and blends into the surrounding.

 

[Carnage27]

"Terrific," I mutter.

Venom springs into the darkness and blends in, I take the time to check on my teammates. I know Venom will come after me eventually, and without the use of my spider sense, it'd be suicide to go after him. Better to stay here in the light where I have some semblance of a chance.

I lean over Jamie to find that aside from a nasty hit on the head, he looks to be breathing normally. Robin on the other hand seems to be in pretty bad shape. The car Venom tossed at him hit him pretty dead on. He's out cold, and doesn't seem to be breathing with the most ease. I take out my League communicator and send a quick message to Batman, "Batman, it's Spider-man. I'm currently fighting Venom...and half of New York. But Robin is here and hurt pretty bad. I'd recommend coming to help if you can."

Once I'm done with the message, the street lights go out above me and the block is plunged into darkness, "Double terrific."

I try in vain to search the shadows for my opponent, but to no avail. And out of the darkness, two tendrils lash out ripping across my face and send me sprawling to the ground. Another grabs my foot and slams me to the pavement. The pain runs through my body, and I remember how much of a toll a fight with Venom takes on my body. He knows how to hurt me, and he's going to hurt me as much as he can.

Another tendril comes at me, and I manage to catch it. but before I can react, I'm pulled towards my unseen foe who lands a haymaker across my face. I drop to the ground and with my normal senses alone deliver a swift kick to Venom's crotch, doubling him over. Even with my head spinning I stand and drive an uppercut into Venom's jaw.