"One Universe" RPG thread.

[twylight]

Dinah focused on Tony, trying to revive him, something wasn't right and still...

She turned at the sound of a thunderous noise. Turning her eyes opened wide. A giant crack in the ground was headed towards her. Standing up she tried to pull Tony away.

Why was he so heavy?

“Oh baby, we need to get you on a diet.” She said.
As soon as the words were out of her mouth she felt herself being scooped up.


"Hi there."

She looked up into a pair of the bluest blue eyes she’d ever seen. Her mouth opened in protest as he set her down and flew off.
Right, leave it to the patriotic clad man to save the ‘weak’ woman. She roleld her eyes and looked down only to look up again and catch a glimpse of Tony running around the corner.

“Oh Momma, I’m marrying a coward.”

She ran after him as the ground shook, catching her balance she looked up at another thunderous roar.
A man in red armor launched from behind the building.

"Bruce, stop this!"

His voice sounded filtered and tinny, yet Dinah turned towards the Monster and gasped.
Not Bruce Wayne…..Bruce Banner she gasped, wait that would make the man in armor…

“TONY!”

He was a friend of Tony’s, a friend he’d often told her about, his scientific studies bordered on genius and even exceeded that.

She watched as the men fought against him and as much as she hated to admit it she was helpless. However not so helpless not to observe. Her sharp eye played over every movement of everyone, even as new costumes showed up.
Her hands clenching. She wasn’t stupid and it didn’t take a genius to figure out that the ‘Batman’ was Bruce Wayne, the dissappearing act, the jawline, the money for the gadget’s, a Gothamite in Star City, who just happened to be near a party.
Idiot, nice way to keep his cover.
Still her biggest shock was Tony. How could he have kept that from her. Or worse, how could she have missed all the signs?

A Flash of red entered the fight and then the Fantastic Four. Sue quickly put up a sheild around the Giant and allowed him to pound his heart out, figuratively speaking, before he broke it and slowly fell to the ground.

“What, what have I done?”

She stepped forward as the heroes stared on in shock.

"Will somebody please tell me what the hell is going on around here?"
The man in red asked.
Dinah grabbed a table cloth that had been cast aside and walked to Bruce Banner’s side, draping it over his form she looked around for Tony, or ‘Iron Man.'

“I’m sure all the questions will be answered soon.”

 

[Sentry2005]

Dinah focused on Tony, trying to revive him, something wasn't right and still...

She turned at the sound of a thunderous noise. Turning her eyes opened wide. A giant crack in the ground was headed towards her. Standing up she tried to pull Tony away.

Why was he so heavy?

“Oh baby, we need to get you on a diet.” She said.
As soon as the words were out of her mouth she felt herself being scooped up.


"Hi there."

She looked up into a pair of the bluest blue eyes she’d ever seen. Her mouth opened in protest as he set her down and flew off.
Right, leave it to the patriotic clad man to save the ‘weak’ woman. She roleld her eyes and looked down only to look up again and catch a glimpse of Tony running around the corner.

“Oh Momma, I’m marrying a coward.”

She ran after him as the ground shook, catching her balance she looked up at another thunderous roar.
A man in red armor launched from behind the building.

"Bruce, stop this!"

His voice sounded filtered and tinny, yet Dinah turned towards the Monster and gasped.
Not Bruce Wayne…..Bruce Banner she gasped, wait that would make the man in armor…

“TONY!”

He was a friend of Tony’s, a friend he’d often told her about, his scientific studies bordered on genius and even exceeded that.

She watched as the men fought against him and as much as she hated to admit it she was helpless. However not so helpless not to observe. Her sharp eye played over every movement of everyone, even as new costumes showed up.
Her hands clenching. She wasn’t stupid and it didn’t take a genius to figure out that the ‘Batman’ was Bruce Wayne, the dissappearing act, the jawline, the money for the gadget’s, a Gothamite in Star City, who just happened to be near a party.
Idiot, nice way to keep his cover.
Still her biggest shock was Tony. How could he have kept that from her. Or worse, how could she have missed all the signs?

A Flash of red entered the fight and then the Fantastic Four. Sue quickly put up a sheild around the Giant and allowed him to pound his heart out, figuratively speaking, before he broke it and slowly fell to the ground.

“What, what have I done?”

She stepped forward as the heroes stared on in shock.

"Will somebody please tell me what the hell is going on around here?"
The man in red asked.
Dinah grabbed a table cloth that had been cast aside and walked to Bruce Banner’s side, draping it over his form she looked around for Tony, or ‘Iron Man.'

“I’m sure all the questions will be answered soon.”

<Iron Man>

I lower myself to the ground, towards Dinah and Bruce.

I look at Dinah.

She knows it's me.

She's going to hate me.

For lying to her.

And not for the first time.

I look at Bruce.

My friend.

I funded his Gamma research.

This is my fault.

MINE.

I'll help you Bruce.

I'll help you, or die trying...

 

[twylight]

Dinah stared at him her eyes hard before forcing a smile.

"Mr. Iron Man...care to tell us what's going on? You seemed to be yelling at this man earlier."

Her tone was subtle in it's tone. Her anger only apparent to Tony who knew her well.

 

[Sentry2005]

<Matt Murdock>

Silence.

Well not silence, but in comparison to what it has been, it's a relative silence.

Bat's see by bouncing sound waves. Same as me.

And the fight that just took place.

That gave me sight beyond sight.

I can 'see' Dr. Banner on the ground. The Iron Man standing nearby, as is Miss Lance.

I can't register his heartbeat. Iron Man. His armour is confusing my senses.

Superman, Batman, Dr Richards... They all stand as quiet as mice.

Even Luthor is humbled by the moment.

This is exactly what Luthor wanted.

An example of the danger posed to us by these 'Meta' Humans.

By my kind.

I lower my head, and say a prayer for Dr. Banner.

"Forgive this man Lord, this man who is lost in the dark..."

 

[Sentry2005]

Dinah stared at him her eyes hard before forcing a smile.

"Mr. Iron Man...care to tell us what's going on? You seemed to be yelling at this man earlier."

Her tone was subtle in it's tone. Her anger only apparent to Tony who knew her well.

<Iron Man>

She's going to castrate me.

"It appears that Doctor Bruce Banner is the Hulk that has been 'shown' in the tabloids recently,"

I take a deep breath, as I turn to the others.

"My name is Iron Man, Mr Stark's personal body guard. As soon as he was knocked unconscious a beacon alerted me to the situation and I came quickly. Mr Stark has left the imediate area and gone straight to work on a way to cure Dr. Banner. He feels responsible I would imagine. My sensors tell me this creature is giving off a lot of Gamma radiation, and Mr Stark was the cheif financer of Dr. Banner's Gamme Bomb research program,"

 

[Batman]

"STOP!" Reed said to the heroes in the area "Leave him be...You've all done enough for one day. Sue has him contained...let me talk to him" Reed said. The heroes slowly took a few steps back from the Hulk who was encassed in the forcefield. Reed walked up to the wall of the barrier...

As I got to pick up the fourth wall needed to contain the Hulk,My hearing picks up Dr.Richards' message.

He's right.Every time I've gone to fight The Hulk,He's only become stronger.I've been...fueling him.

It's...MY fault...

No.Something else set it off.All I managed to do was make it angrier.

Either way,Maybe I should've satyed out of it.

...

Who am I kidding?There's no way I would've just sat by and watched this happen.It's not who I am.

Hulks hand clawed away at the shield, as his green skin began to fade, “No! Puny Banner” he roared and with the last of his rage he punched the shield, shattering it and breaking himself free.

His hair turned a dark brown, and he looked down at his pale hands “What, what have I done?” Cried Banner’s soft voice before collapsing on the ground.

And just like that,My efforts prove to be wasted.

It doesn't matter,though.The Hulk is calmed,the destruction and chaos is over,and almost no one got hurt.

...Well,except for me,of course.And Tony Stark.

...Wait...where is Stark?

I shake my head,as I put down the walls I collected.It doesn't matter...It's over,now.I fly back to the scene,where Iron Man,Reed,Ben,Sue,That blonde woman I saw earlier,The man in the red costume,and Batman are standing.

"Is everyone alri-"

...You know what,it's not even worth it.The only one who's not alright here is The Hulk.Or,his alter-ego,rather.

Well,and Oliver Queen,once he sees the damage that was done by all of us.

"...Nevermind."

We did it.We defeated The Hulk.

...No.Reed and Sue defeated The Hulk.The rest of us just angered him.Myself included.

"It's a good thing you were here,Doctor.Your solution proved to be the most effective."

...There I go,stating the blatantly obvious,and making myself look rediculous.As if the costume didn't already make me look like a fool.

Even Batman is starting to look better than m-

...

BATMAN.

He knows my identity.HE KNOWS THAT I AM CLARK KENT.How...why...I mean...what...How did he...

No,Those aren't the questions I should be asking.The question is whether I can trust him or not.And right now,I really can't.So...Really,My identity could be in grave danger.

...But at least I have some idea of who he really is.

Either way,He hasn't covered his tracks very well.

Bruce Wayne resides in Gotham City,And mere weeks after he returned from a few years abscence,Batman started appearing in Gotham City.And his parents were murdered when he was a small boy,giving him the motive for his actions.

His costume is obviously very expensive.Which wouldn't be a problem for Bruce Wayne at all.

And his appearance here tonight,when Bruce Wayne is nowhere to be seen...

...There is no doubt in my mind that Bruce Wayne and Batman are one in the same.

So,I don't have to worry about my secret anymore.If he reveals mine,I reveal his.It's that simple.

But for now...I think I'll keep it to myself.After all,that theory can work in reverse,aswell...

 

[Batman]

<Norman Osborn>

It's the same nightmare.Laughing,cackling,blood thirsty demons chasing me,screaming my name,wanting me to pay for some penance.

But even demons have a price.That realisation is what usually ends the nightmare.

I wake up,with a casual smirk.

Demons?

Norman Osborn fears no demons.

- - -

I walk out in my newest armani.It itches,in some areas.I make a mental note to fire my tailor.

Today is a big day.Well,for LuthorFisk.Not for me...I couldn't really give a damn.But Wilson seemed estatic over the phone about his latest project,so one could say that my curiosity is piqued.Otherwise,I wouldn't be going to the demonstration.

I walk down the halls of the third floor of the mansion.I notice a speck of dust as I walk by.I make a mental note to fire my maid.

Walking down the stairs,I see Harry walk out the door,heading for school.Usually he would've tried to say Hi,like the annoying pest he is,but...He didn't bother today.He's learning.Maybe there is a bit of me in that boy,after all.

Ha.

That weakling?As far as I'm concenred,He's no son.He's just some brat I have to feed.Just a waste of money...

I walk into the lounge area,and pour myself a quick glass of Jack Daniels,to get me started before the LuthorFisk demonstration.I notice my glass from yesterday is sitting near the bottle aswell.I make a mental note to fire my butler.

Speaking of which...

Niles comes in,carrying the morning edition of the Post for me.Good.Once I get it from him,I'll let him know of the 'unfortunate' news.Unfortunate for him...But of no concequence to me.

"Sir,There's something you might want to see."

I raise an eyebrow.What could be of such importance that it requires even a shred of my attention.

"Oh?"

I take the paper from his hand,and spread it out.The headline reads,as follows...

'PIER 47 IN FLAMES:Fisk Weapon Missing'

So,Fisk's weapon was stolen last night.

HA!

Incompetant Fool.He should've known better than to make it such a spectacle.He even sent a word out to The Bugle,He was so excited.Serves him right,this robbery.

...But...Oddly,this seems...familiar,for some reason.

"Niles,When did this happen?"

"It says the incident took place last night,Master Osborn."

Last night?I couldn't have been involved with this,then.I was...

I stop.

What was I doing,last night?It's as if the whole night was a blur to me.I don't remember a damned thing,quite honestly.

"Where was I,last night?"

"You called in around the time of nine-thirty PM,and stated that you would be working late at OsCorp.Master Harry had wanted you to pick him up from school,which is why you called in at that late hour.He was forced to take the bus home."

I don't remember any of that.Was that what I really did?Was I just working too hard to remember anything?Or was I simply drunk?And what would this theft of Fisk's project have to do with anything?

...It doesn't matter.All I know is that I had nothing to do with that.I couldn't have stolen that weapon intoxicated.The mere thought of it is...rediculous.I'm guilty of nothing.

...But...then why does it seem so familiar to me?

"Are you alright,Sir?"

"I'll be better once I get started with the day.Niles,Cancel my appointment with Fisk for this morning.There's no point in attending a demonstration if that idiot Fisk has nothing to show for it."

He nods,and turns around.

"Oh,and after that...Pack your things.You're fired."

He stops,for a second.But,eventually,he nods.

"...Yes,sir."

As Niles leaves,I continue looking at the headline.

Vigilantism.It makes me sick.When was society reduced to such acts of idiocy and cowardice?

Whoever did this was a fool.If only people could be more like me.More civilized.More pure.More...perfect.

If only society could be more like me...The great,powerful Norman Osborn.

 

[SonnyBlack]

<Mister Fantastic>

"Arrghh!" Sue screamed as the Hulk shattered her forcefield. She fell to the ground.

"SUE!" Reed shouted, stretching his arms out towards her, and pulling her in close to him. He held her in his arms "Are you alright darling??" Reed said. She opened her eyes

"I'm okay Reed, just a little shaken up" She replied

"Thank heavens" He said as she stood on her own again. Reed turned his attention back to the creature. Everything happened so fast, and he was so worried about Sue, he wasn't even sure what became of the Hulk. He looked down to see Bruce Banner, an old friend of his, lying right where the Hulk once was...smoke was slowly fading up from his body

"Bruce?!" Reed said "How could the Hulk be Bruce Banner?" Reed thought to himself, stirring up some old memories "He was always experimenting on things he shouldn't have been...but I never sensed anything malicious or violent about him...now SHIELD is coming to take him away...if only I could run some tests on him, i'm sure I could find a way to reverse whatever caused this mutation. I know what SHIELD is going to do...they are going to subject him to painful tests until they can find what caused his transformation...package it, and form their own brand of super-soldier. Bruce has caused a lot of damage today, but he doesn't deserve that...he doesn't..."

Monitoring the conflict Nick sat and wondered as to what would happen after the fact. Watching with anticipation he saw the Hulk began to shrink and change back into the form of Bruce Banner. Nick could see the heroes surrounding the fallen Banner as he sighed with relief that the conflict was over with.

“Awaiting order’s Colonial Fury.”

“Prepare the troops for the transfer of the prisoner to the Helicarrier.”

Walking through the crowd Nick made his way towards Banner. Looking into the eyes of the heroes he could see a mixed bag of emotions. None of this really mattered much to Nick however he had a job to do and he’d do it.

“SHIELD commends you Heroes for your actions as you were able to stop the Hulk before he could do any major damage. As of now though Bruce Banner is under the legal custody of SHIELD. Take him away.”

Holding both arms of Bruce SHIELD agents inject him with a powerful sedative as he becomes docile. Drool begins to drip down the mouth of Bruce as SHIELD agents carry him away with Fury following them.

“I can cure him.”

Turning around Nick looks directly into the eyes of Reed.

“Let me run some tests study his mutation and I’m sure I could find a way to cure him of it.”

Walking slowly Fury gets directly into the face of Reed.

“That’s fine and good Richard’s maybe you can do what you said and cure him but at this point it just isn’t so simple.”

Turning his back and walking away Nick stops a moment and glances back toward Reed.

“I’ll be in Touch.”

 

[Darth Wolverine]

"Is anybody even listening to me?" Flash mumbled, fury lacing his voice. No! They all just think you're some stupid kid in spandex. So much for living up to my Uncle Barry's legacy. Without a word, Wally dashed away, winding through the various streets and alleys of the city, zooming into the cemetery...where he kneeled by a very familiar gravestone.

"I'm sorry, Barry," he whispered gripping the memorial stone and fighting back the tears. "I've let you down. I haven't honoured your name, or even made a name for myself. Everyone sees me as 'just another hero'...they don't see what they used to see when they looked at you - hope, justice, peace. I...I'm sorry for that."

 

[Nightwing]

IC:Dick Grayson

I wake to see myself sprawled on the floor amongst food and rubble. My head feels like theres a pneumatic drill inside smashing away.

"Oh man." I look around the room. Everyone is looking at some guy drapped in a sheet, a table cloth. I look around the room.

"MUM! DAD! HELP SOMEBODY HELP ME." i rush over to their bodies but i cant approach. I break down in tears and fall to my knees. I turn to see my sister on the floor her eyes wide and dull. I cant see her inside them. She is bleeding from the ears. "PLEASE SOMEONE HELP MY FAMILY!" Mum has landed on her neck and disloged her spine. Death was instantaneous. My Dad however is still breathing slightly.

"GOD DAMN YOU PEOPLE HELP.MY DAD IS STILL ALIVE. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP."

i wait clutching his hand. He mutters something but i cant make it out. His grip loosens.

i sit back in tears. What the hell was that monster? what had my family done to deserve this?had we been sinners in a previous life?

what could i do now? I just sat beside my parents....there was nothing else i could do.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Lex Luthor had seen many things in his life. But when The Hulk transformed into the scientist Bruce Banner, even he was momentarily stunned into silence. He looked around him. Everyone's eyes were wide with shock. With fear. Then Luthor realised that this was the perfect opportunity.

Luthor threw his jacket too the ground, and loosened his tie. Then, with analytical eyes, he studied the carnage around him. He needed to make a strong message. Then he spotted the boy, sitting beside his dead parents. Luthor cautiously approached the boy, putting his hand on his shoulder.

"There's nothing you can do for them now, son," he said, "Why don't you come with me?"

Almost in a trance, the boy stood up, walking with Lex Luthor. He looked back at his dead family, reluctant to leave their side.

"What's your name?" Luthor asked.

"Dick Grayson."

Luthor put on his most convincing expression of heartbreak, with a mixture of stern determination. He was sure that what he said would be all over tomorrow's papers. He had to make this suitably dramatic. Luthor and Grayson stood before the crowd of people, only beginning to disperse from the scene.

"I told you that these...metahumans were dangerous," Luthor said, anger in his voice and a well-rehearsed look of pain in his eyes, "But none of you listened. You all believed that these superpowered beings were here to help us. Look around you, at the damage caused here today. But more lasting damage has been caused on this night."

Luthor squeezed Dick's shoulder reassuringly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to meet Dick Grayson," Luthor continued, "That creature killed his entire family. I found him sitting by their side, waiting for someone to help them. And why did nobody come? You were all out there, watching Superman and The Hulk battle like you would stare at a train wreck. Shame on you. Shame on all of us."

Luthor saw some people in the audience lowering their heads. Good, it was working.

"This has to stop. We cannot stand aside and let these monsters fight each other, hoping the right one wins. This is not a Godzilla movie. This is real life. Real lives are being destroyed by these creatures. No, something needs to be done. Now, more than ever, this world needs true heroes. And I...I think I may have the solution."

Luthor was about to make a major gamble. Dinah Lance had said something earlier about putting all his eggs in one basket. But hell, Lex Luthor wouldn't be where he was today if he hadn't taken any risks.

"I am calling a press conference, two days from now, in Metropolis - at Lexcorp Towers. I hope that, by then, I will have the answer. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to return Dick Grayson to his family. He needs to say goodbye."

Luthor took Dick away from the crowd before anyone could reply or ask any questions. He'd done enough. He'd planted that seed in everyone's mind. Now he would just leave it to grow. But meanwhile, Lex Luthor needed to make an appointment to see Captain America...

 

[Sentry2005]

Lex Luthor had seen many things in his life. But when The Hulk transformed into the scientist Bruce Banner, even he was momentarily stunned into silence. He looked around him. Everyone's eyes were wide with shock. With fear. Then Luthor realised that this was the perfect opportunity.

Luthor threw his jacket too the ground, and loosened his tie. Then, with analytical eyes, he studied the carnage around him. He needed to make a strong message. Then he spotted the boy, sitting beside his dead parents. Luthor cautiously approached the boy, putting his hand on his shoulder.

"There's nothing you can do for them now, son," he said, "Why don't you come with me?"

Almost in a trance, the boy stood up, walking with Lex Luthor. He looked back at his dead family, reluctant to leave their side.

"What's your name?" Luthor asked.

"Dick Grayson."

Luthor put on his most convincing expression of heartbreak, with a mixture of stern determination. He was sure that what he said would be all over tomorrow's papers. He had to make this suitably dramatic. Luthor and Grayson stood before the crowd of people, only beginning to disperse from the scene.

"I told you that these...metahumans were dangerous," Luthor said, anger in his voice and a well-rehearsed look of pain in his eyes, "But none of you listened. You all believed that these superpowered beings were here to help us. Look around you, at the damage caused here today. But more lasting damage has been caused on this night."

Luthor squeezed Dick's shoulder reassuringly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to meet Dick Grayson," Luthor continued, "That creature killed his entire family. I found him sitting by their side, waiting for someone to help them. And why did nobody come? You were all out there, watching Superman and The Hulk battle like you would stare at a train wreck. Shame on you. Shame on all of us."

Luthor saw some people in the audience lowering their heads. Good, it was working.

"This has to stop. We cannot stand aside and let these monsters fight each other, hoping the right one wins. This is not a Godzilla movie. This is real life. Real lives are being destroyed by these creatures. No, something needs to be done. Now, more than ever, this world needs true heroes. And I...I think I may have the solution."

Luthor was about to make a major gamble. Dinah Lance had said something earlier about putting all his eggs in one basket. But hell, Lex Luthor wouldn't be where he was today if he hadn't taken any risks.

"I am calling a press conference, two days from now, in Metropolis - at Lexcorp Towers. I hope that, by then, I will have the answer. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to return Dick Grayson to his family. He needs to say goodbye."

Luthor took Dick away from the crowd before anyone could reply or ask any questions. He'd done enough. He'd planted that seed in everyone's mind. Now he would just leave it to grow. But meanwhile, Lex Luthor needed to make an appointment to see Captain America...

<Iron Man>

Luthor walks away... and he's right.

Look at what we've done.

All because of one man's accident.

It's not right.

It's not fair.

That monster has a name.

Bruce Banner.

Luthor's using his pain, the things that have gone on here today as a spring board.

For publicity?

Thats just as wrong as people given these gifts.

I need to figure out what this 'Mother Box' is trying to tell me. I need Reed to help me sort this mess out. Something good will come of this.

I look over to Matt Murdock.

He's praying.

A lawyer praying.

It's something I thought i'd never see.

But then I used to think i'd never see a man fly.

Times change, the world shifts, and we move on.

This sort of power shouldn't be kept unchecked.

I look around at all of the people here.

I remember the kid in red spandex who just left.

I need to prepare for whats coming, but I also need to prepare for what happens if the power becomes too much for these people.

Power corrupts.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I need to get started. The armory is under way, and now I need to make a set of protocals. Something to safe guard this world from those who would abuse their power.

God help me, Lex Luthor made a valid point.

I look back at Dinah and I feel so alone in this armour...

 

[Nightwing]

IC:Dick Grayson

The only one to approach me out of everyone there is Luthor. Why did he appear in my unconscious vision? he spoke to me with a sense of compassion but he had strength in his voice.his words were a form of comfort. he made me stand in front of his viewers...his politicians and the supers that were fighting the Hulk.he reminds me that my family are never coming back..then he walks me to my family...

he gets a phone call as im grieving. i cant make out what he says or who its to but he approaches me afterwards...

Lex - Son you havent any family...i know its hard but you could do something stupid that could make the situation a whole lot worse. i ve arranged for you to stay with a organisation called S.H.I.E.L.D. there you can mourn in peace and we can give your parents the burial they deserve.your sister too. i would also like you to attend the press conference in Metropolis with me in two days. im sure we can get something resolved in regards to this incident. we'll get the vengence your family deserves.

i believed him. i feel i can trust him but that vision is telling me to be wary. All i can do now is wait. the big orange guy carefully brings my sister over.he lays her down with an elegance you wouldnt expect from the guy.

Thing - Listen kid.i cant say i know what your going tru, but i am sorry. if theres anything i can do then let me know

he stands over me as if hes my bodyguard.

"Thanks"

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Batman

The battle dies down. I was about to sneak off so that I could change back to Bruce before I noticed something--

A small child, can't be older than 13, kneeling over...two bodies...male and female...

Oh, my God.

I started to walk towards him, when I saw Luthor already close to him. I snuck through the foilage, into the same coat-check room, changed back into my tuxedo and came out, back as Bruce Wayne.

I walked back into the wreckage, seeing the carnage almost with new eyes. I scan the area to find the child. I find him, with The Thing standing next to him. I walk over to him.

"Uh...hey. Are...are you okay?"

Stupid, you KNOW he isn't...

 

[Batman]

<Superman>

I listen to Luthor.I see the look on the boy's face.

What have I done?

I...I wanted to help people.I wanted to save them all.And....look what I accomplished,in the process.

The death of an innocent family.

As much as I want to believe Luthor is lying...As much as I want to argue that I was just trying to help...I can't.Because He's right.This has to stop.

I look down at my costume.

All of this has to stop.

I look into the sky,wishing I could talk to them.If they're even alive,anymore.Jor-El and Lara...My parents.My birth parents,anyway.

And then,I look out into the crowd.

"I...I'm sorry."

Wthout another word,I float into the sky,and rocket past the clouds,taking in the air as I make a circle.

I've done enough,for today.Maybe even for awhile.Maybe...It's time Superman took a break.

A long break...

I float back down to the room in Queen's mansion,and change into my suit and glasses.Superman may not be needed here...but Clark Kent needs to reunite with a certain female reporter,before she becomes suspicious.

And I'd rather not have her know that I'm Superman.Especially now,of all times.

I walk out,amongst the damage,to find Lois in the crowd.

"Can you believe this?It's obvious Luthor's trying to blame Superman for what happened to that boy's parents.It's outrageous!"

I wish I could agree.But...now,I'm not so sure.

"Clark?Are you even listening to me?"

"Huh?Oh...Yeah.Sure,Lois."

"..."

"You believe him,don't you?"

...

Did I say anything?

"Lois,Can we go?I don't feel so well,and we have to catch the next flight to Metropolis in the morning...I want to get some rest."

"Are you kidding me?We're standing only feet away from Bruce Wayne,Reed Richards,and Iron Man...And you want to leave?"

"LOIS."

She looks at me,eyes widened.Even I'm surprised at my tone,actually.

"Please..."

She eventually nods.

"Sure..."

I'm in no mood to stay here.Not after what happened.I can't even bare to show my face,here.

As soon as we get back to Metropolis,and get those stories published,I'm taking a trip.I'm going back to the only place where I've ever felt completely normal.

...I'm going home.

 

[SonnyBlack]

Nicks look down at the new home of Bruce Banner a heavily controlled room contained by force fields. There he lay still heavily sedated barely moving, how did it come to this Bruce. Picking up the phone Nick dials the number of the President to inform him of the good news.

&#8220;Mr. President the target has been caught and contained.&#8221;

&#8220;Great work Nick continue as planned and begin the tests this may just be a blessing in disguise.&#8221;

Or a curse

&#8220;Right away Mr. President.&#8221;

Nick lights up a cigar as he thinks about his new assignment at hand. Bruce was a threat but then again he was a good person on the inside and Nick hated the thought of using him as some kind of lab rat. Though he also had a job to do and if SHIELD could somehow use any info on Bruce to help the people it was necessary.

&#8220;Begin testing.&#8221;

Nick says as he walks away making his way back to the control room. Pacing around the room he stops and picks up the phone.

&#8220;Alright Reed I&#8217;ll give you your chance but first we have some things to talk about."

 

[LibrarianThorne]

IC: Green Arrow

Olliver Queen felt worthless, more worthless than he'd ever felt. The damage done to his mansion and his land wasn't important, of course. It was his own inaction that was driving him to despair. When the Hulk had appeared, like all the other guests, he had run to a safe area while the other costumed heroes. He could justify to himself that the partygoers needed defending, but what could he do? All he had was an arrow gimmick, and that wouldn't have done anything against a beast who could stand up to explosions and the Superman.

Now, a boy's family had died, and perhaps worst of all, Luthor had made his point. These 'heroes' were a threat. All that power in one place, and they hadn't been able to save a boy's parents. Utterly disgraceful.

Thoughts weighing heavily on his mind, Ollie slipped away from the assembled throng of partygoers. He needed to be alone, and his absence could easily be explained away later.

 

[Nightwing]

IC:Dick Grayson

A tall man stands over me. the orange guy leaves.

The guy stood over me is Bruce Wayne. I know him cos we did a performance at one of his private functions. What did he want?why would a millionaire want to talk to a kid?is it because i just lost my parents?im sure i read somewhere that he had a tragic loss as a child.maybe he knows what im going through.

"You lost your parents young too right?"

Bruce - "Yes."

"How did you cope?what did you do?where did you turn?"

i broke down into more tears. He placed his hand on my shoulder.

OOC: Sorry for the bunny MaskedmanJKR. just moving the story on a bit now thats all.

 

[twylight]

I crouched on the large Oak trees limb and studied the ledge under the window.
It had been a long day preparing. I&#8217;d taken several cat naps, waking up to Isis&#8217;s and the other kittens call for milk.
None of them were weaned and it angered me to think that people could be so cruel to animals. In someway animals make us more human. We show our true selves when confronted with animals. Be it cruel or compassionate. However I can&#8217;t abide people who show compassion for animals, yet in the face of seeing other humans suffer they do nothing.

I crouch and then leap. Landing lightly on the ledge with perfect balance.
Keep focused. I study the window there is a small alarm attached to it, the kind that when separated set off a silent alarm. My mind clears of everything, Holly, the kittens and humanities hit and miss compassion. I was in the moment, and this was it. I smile slyly and extend my claws. I place the tips on the window and twist slowly, silently a circle appears and I pull it away. Leaving a circular hole in the window. Silently reaching through I deactivate the alarm and slip the clasp on the window.
It&#8217;s one of those old windows that swing open like a door. Easy as stroking a cat. I slip through the open window and land silently on the floor in a slight crouch.
My ears listen for any sounds of footsteps.

I hear none.
The smile never leaves my face as I glide from room to room, my eyes taking in all the niches.

I make my way to the Master Bed room. Running my hands over the dustless counters I look around. It&#8217;s easy to tell there is nothing valuable there. At least nothing I find valuable. Men don&#8217;t usually have diamond necklaces hanging around. I turn to leave, and stop. There is something small sticking out from under the bed. Stooping over I pick it up with my fingertips. Straightening up I hold it up in front of my face. The dim light reflects off of it as I turn it slowly, my smile turns into a puzzled look.

The edges were sharp and I make sure to keep my fingers from them. However the most extraordinary thing was that it was in a stylized shape of a Bat.

I turn my head sharply at a sound in the hallway, my shoulders up like a cat&#8217;s back and my tongue pressed on my teeth.
Nothing happens so I relax and smile. Placing the little metal bat back in its original position.

Looks like our Mr. Wayne is a bat fan.

I run down the hall silently, before stopping in the doorway of a room. Even in the dim light my figure cast&#8217;s a shadow across the room and up the wall, stopping short of the picture. My little cowls cat ears stop at the bottom of the large gold frame.
I tilt my head; it&#8217;s a beautiful portrait of a man and a woman.
The original Mr. and Mrs. Wayne. There picture is all over the local public library, due to their donations. However such a place of prominence, it distracts from the rest of the room.
Giving me reason to pause. I walk around the room looking at all the bookshelves, running my hand along the walls and looking at the other smaller pictures.

A smile spreads across my face.
Jackpot.

A little picture of Gotham City&#8217;s sky line at night hangs slightly away from the wall. Slightly because to the untrained eye, and even too many trained eyes, it wouldn&#8217;t be noticed. Carefully taking the picture off the wall I lean it against the bottom of the wall.
Yes, just what I figured on, a small safe. Digital too, meaning it was newer, I expected that.

I pull out the small device I&#8217;d procured from my night club venture the night before.
I attach it to the safe and let it run its cycle.
Minutes later after a small &#8220;beep&#8221; I open the safe door and my eyes go wide.
There are several manila folders, but the most exciting are the recognizable jewelry boxes tucked under them, one of which is a necklace box.

Careful not to disturb the envelopes I pull out the boxes and open each one.
The necklace box contains a beautiful diamond necklace, the likes of which I&#8217;ve never seen. Fine tendrils of what looks like platinum wind around the main chain. Baguette cut diamonds, set off the princess cut ones, in their fine insets along the chain and tendrils.
I run my gloved fingertips delicately across it. The diamonds reflecting in the dim light cast light into my eyes, causing them to sparkle more than usual. I close the box and place it in my bag.

The remaining boxes are one ring box and a bracelet box. I open the bracelet box and am not disappointed. Another diamond pretty.
Opening the ring box I pause. It&#8217;s a beautiful diamond wedding set. My hand pauses as I go to close it up again.
The mark of a good bugler is to sometimes know your limit. I glance at the picture over the fireplace again.
Placing the ring box back in the safe I close it up and touch a button on the device. Allowing it to relock. Taking the device and slipping it in my bag I hang the picture up again, before turning and running down the hall. Slipping through the window I close it behind me. Leaping from the tree I land on the ground lightly and run off into the night a smile on my face.

~~~~~~~~~~~`

I&#8217;d just entered my room when Holly raced in.

&#8220;Come look!&#8221;
She grabbed my hand and tugged it. I drop the bag on my bed and follow her into the living room where she points to the TV.

&#8220; &#8230;City, where a large green monster now identified as the &#8216;Hulk&#8217; disrupted the social event of the season. Attending this party were, Bruce Wayne, Ollie Queen, Lex Luthor and the Fantastic Four. There were only three casualties and minor injuries.

This is some footage.&#8221;

The screen cut to some very grainy camera footage as several people started to attack the Hulk.

Holly watched it her eyes large, I smirked and walked off, throwing over my shoulder.

&#8220;Looks like Brucey is gonna have a bad day.&#8221; I smile thinking about what he's going to find when he returns.

 

[twylight]

Dinah stood in semi shock as Luthor vented his view point.

Her hands clenched and unclenched at her side and she struggled to keep herself in control. How could he use a small child like that at a time like this? If he had any points to make they could have been made without the child.
Her eyes burned and she turned to Tony&#8217;s &#8216;bodyguard.&#8217;

&#8220;Where is Tony?&#8221; She demanded, her eyes sparking blue fire.

She might have been shuffled around like a rag doll, and ignored because she was a &#8216;lady&#8217; but she wasn&#8217;t going to let herself be pushed away.

The mousey little reporter had returned and was talking to Lois Lane and Oliver Queen had resurfaced.

 

[Midnight Ice]

A chunk of ice holding the body of Captain America lays in a high tech laboratory, deep inside one of Luthor Corp's multi billion dollar facilities.

"Are all the amchines set up? Do we have all teh life support systems on stand-by?"

"Yes sir, everything is ready for the procedure."

"Excellent! Start the machines. Lets thaw out the great American hero!"

There is a warm glow that overcomes the table that Captain America is on. The ice slowly begins to melt away while other machines moniter his condition.

"Don't let the ice melt too fast, we can't risk loosing him."

"Of course, Doctor."


-Hours later-

The ice has all melted away and Captain America is hooked up to a dozen machines helping his body re-awaken and stay alive. Finally his head slowly moves to the side...his eyes half way open...

"Hes awake! Someone notify Mr. Luthor right away!"

"Welcome back, Captain! The year is 2006. It is an honor to meet you and to welcome you back into the world."

 

[Keyser Soze]

Not long after giving his speech, Lex Luthor was ushered back into his plane by his bodyguards. They took off into the air, making a hasty exit from Star City. And boy, was Luthor glad to be saying goodbye to the place.

The plane had just reached cruising height when the phone rang. Luthor picked up after the second ring.

"Lex Luthor speaking."

"Mr. Luthor, it's Diane. I have Dr. Feinstein on the line for you..."

"Patch him through," snapped Luthor, "Now, Diane!"

Feinstein was patched through, and Luthor listened to what he had to say, his grin widening as the doctor spoke.

"Thank you, Dr. Feinstein," Luthor said once the doctor was finished, "I'll be coming to see Captain America soon."

Luthor hung up, leaning back in his seat. Everything was falling into place...

 

[Quantum_Goddess]

-Years past-

Fists slam upon a blue wave design table.

"Damn it!! He was right!! I thought I had at least a few more days!" A man. And obviously a frustrated angry man. He was dressed which one would think, from the planet Earth of course in modern times, that he was quite the... feminist. It was like a light blue dress, with no seams, and was quite slack. On the cuffs, was rolled over in a darker blue, with a dark blue rolled collar. His frame was that of a huge body builder. If one were to meet him in an alley, even a "tough guy" and three of his friends wouldn't want to start anything with him. Upon his chest was a symbol. It was like a diamond, a diamond with a circle in the middle of it. His hair was a short blonde color. Kind of like a military fade cut. His skin was a soft peach, with high cheeck bones, and a broad chin. His soft blue eyes were emblazoned with anger and fear, and tears poured forth from them.

"What's going on?" A woman came running in. Her dressing was that of very similar to that of the male's, only smaller, befitting her much smaller frame. The woman had long, wavey blonde hair, more golden than the man's darker blonde, and carried piercing blue sapphire eyes. Her skin was also a soft peach, with a hint of red upon her cheeks. Her lips painted a light blue, and a look of worry upon her face. Her build was decidingly more petite, which was good, because in her scared arms, she clutched a precious package just a bit tightly. It was a blanket. A red blanket. A light, maybe light brick red. And the blanket began to cry. No, not the blanket, what was INSIDE of the blanket. The blanket shuffled, and a little hand reached out for who was most likely it's mother. The three were a family, and as a family, they were all scared. The woman, because of the man, and the baby, because of the woman. The blanket shuffled off a little more, and it was no more than what would be considered a larger than average baby, with a little tuft of golden blonde hair like it's mother. From this point, one couldn't tell whether the babe was male or female, but that's of little importance at the moment. There was something FAR more pressing.

"Jor-el... he was right..." A disillusioned man said. He turned to his wife, as one might assume. "We have just a few hours..." His eyes were in defeat. He was a great scientist, and unused to being wrong. He and Jor-el had predicted Krypton's end, and in failing to convince the elders, went forth to create survival craft for them. Jor-el had come up with a design, and knew he would've have enough time for his family, but this man, he created one that could be mass produced. Problem was, it took too long to design. "If I had a few more days... I could've created three... for us..." But the fact was, there was only one. And despite the fact that it was big enough for any of them. They knew which passenger was going on it. And this is when the mother too began to cry, holding her sobbing child to her face, whispering apologies to it.

The man walked up to both, and hugged them in his exceptionally powerful arms. And in this moment, his heart sank, in all his research, all his even physical power, he could do nothing but tell his only child goodbye. The child at this point, had quit crying, looking up to it's parents with it's wide, doeful eyes, and cooed to them.

Biting her upper lip, the mother began to break away from the husband, and asked, "Will it really work..?" She knew, but she didn't want to have to watch her child die before her. "Will she really make it out to another planet...? How will she support herself? She's just a child?" This is where the man smiled just a little bit.

"That's the beauty of this one... I programmed it a few hours ago specially for Kara... The computer will monitor her, teach her, let her grow until she reaches a certain age, and then cryo stasis her, preserving her for a new world at the age where she completes her educations." His voice had a small hint of triumph, but one could easily tell he was fighting back his own sobs.

The mother kissed her only child upon her forehead, and set the baby, with it's arms outstretched to her mother, inside of the "crib" and wrapped the blanket around it. It was an oval shaped machine, with a big dome window on the top. The color was silver. The father pressed a button on the console on the side of this orb shaped ship, and the forward window closed. On the bottom, two panels opened, and large ovular orbs protruded, with no obvious opening. "Launch," said a man who was smiling at his two greatest inventions. And the two back orbs fired to life, a low rumble filled the air. The wife ran to her husband, and just cried into his chest. She was scared, more for her daughter's life than for her own, doomed fate. Rumbles began, heavy rumbles. The two looked around scared.

"No!! The route hasn't been properly calculated!! It won't know the safest path!" The world was ending, and their daughter was going to be doomed with them, "It needs at least ten more minutes!" But the world wouldn't last another ten minutes. The man and wife looked across the "street" as a bright flash lit up, and a little pod shot out from a window and up into space. The man smiled, knowing that at least one other was going to make it, and then closed his eyes turning to the panel. He broke from his wife, the tremors getting worse, the ship continuing to "rev up". "It's your only chance. Be safe..." And he hit a sequence of buttons, and the ship exploded in a brilliant light display, taking off into the sky. The wife screamed, "What the hell did you do that for?" And he turned, "Don't worry. The ship knows where it's going, it just doesn't know what path. The chances of her hitting anything out there are slim." And they hugged, looking at their little package take off to her new life. That is... until the watched the ground of downtown explode, and impact into their little ship. The eyes of the parents filled with fear, but they wouldn't get the chance to scream. The end of the world decided to cut them short.


-Years Later-

It was really sad, I'm sure the parents thought, that their child had to die, just before them, and they had to see it. Oh boy, but how proud would they be if they knew that the ship had NOT been destroyed, instead, the ship had just been incased in a super heated, liquid magma, and had been encased in that rock. Funny part was, the ship was JUST as fast as the other ship. Problem was, carrying a chunk of rock that covered the engines slowed the life out of it. For the first "twenty years" out in space, Kara was shown many great things. Many wonderous things, as most of Krypton's knowledge was being taught to her. Quizzing and lecturing, and even scolding her for not listening sometimes. It had been modelled in her mother's voice, to give her a sense of comfort. But the trip would be long, and as she finished, just as the father had said, it super froze her sleeping body, wrapped in nothing more than the blanket she came in, in time, and continued it's course. And in truth, the father should be thankful, the chemically altered rock from Krypton protected Kara's ship from interceding mini asteroids. But now, the target was in view. Twenty minutes until atmospheric drop, and the computer hummed back to life to finish it's final job. To reawaken a very new visitor, and Earth's newest resident. A soft voice woke the young woman up, and the same piercing blue eyes of her mother's looked out over the carapace of Earth, and she smiled. Her face was very much like her mother's now. Only her hair was much, much shorter.

"Engaging transuit." The computer sounded off, as four vents opened up around her, and jetted the blanket off of her with a puff of air, leaving a very naked Kara, and then, in a second act, shot out a silver liquid, all over Kara. This liquid began to sift all over her body, and encase her, even her head. It began to take shape, like something of a astronauts suit, just a heck load slimmed down, complete with a helmet and such. But just as it finished, and Kara once again opened her eyes, the ship began to shake, a loud roar overtook them, and the dome erupted into a bright orange flame.

"Atmospheric drop approached." The computer once again spoke out. The rock casing breaking up around her. But it soon passed. And it became calm again. She could see a lot of white, but the white rushed by. And the most beautiful/fearful thing she ever saw was before her. Green ground. And boy was it rushing fast. Much too fast. A red light went off, filling the cabin with a foam impact resistant filling, and the engines turned to retroburn, trying to slow the decent. Sure, it slowed it to survivable, but in no way was it comfortable, or anything short of a crash. It skimmed across the ground, the meteorites that came with her landing all around the little valley she was in, and she finally came to a dug in halt. The top opened, and a mist shot forth, dissolving the foam. The computer once more told an understandably frightened young woman. "Please wait dear," mimicking her mother, "We're going to try and contact any help that might be here." It had been known to Kryptonians that they had a good wave of hearing, especially at high frequencies. And there were Kryptonians off world at the time of Krypton's explosion. Earth was well known, MAYBE they had come here to live or something. And to Kara's ears' suprise, a dozen, no a hundred, no a thousand languages rang forth, maybe more. It was using a frequency that only Kryptonians were thought to be able to hear. Truthfully, it was radio waves most governments used, but how was Krypton to know that? It's probe that was sent to Earth to scout out other habitable planets had arrived and transmitted over two hundred years ago. Kara sat in her little open pod, as it "cried" out for help to anybody who could listen.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

IC:Dick Grayson

A tall man stands over me. the orange guy leaves.

The guy stood over me is Bruce Wayne. I know him cos we did a performance at one of his private functions. What did he want?why would a millionaire want to talk to a kid?is it because i just lost my parents?im sure i read somewhere that he had a tragic loss as a child.maybe he knows what im going through.

"You lost your parents young too right?"

Bruce - "Yes."

"How did you cope?what did you do?where did you turn?"

i broke down into more tears. He placed his hand on my shoulder.

OOC: Sorry for the bunny MaskedmanJKR. just moving the story on a bit now thats all.

Suddenly I'm not sure if this is a good idea. Considering what the costume I'm wearing under my tuxedo, I'm not sure if I really coped, and where I turned probably wouldn't be good for him.

"I think...I think the best way to cope is to try and put it in the past, so that you can try your best to continue and live life."

I stared at the kid. He looks so familiar. Where could I have seen him from?

"What's your name?"

 

[The X-Man]

They say I’m the devil maybe their right but I wasn’t always a devil. I began my life as Nathaniel Essex. I was born in London in 1832 to a very poor family. Despite my humble beginings I went on to become a prominent scientist were I was regarded by my peers with great respect and was considered a revolutionary in my field. I married the love of my life Rebecca and we were soon to be expecting a child. All was good then. But all that changed the day my son was born. You see my son was stillborn due to unforeseen birth defects. As I looked onto his lifeless body and at the face of my heart stricken wife I decided that day I would focus my life to the search of human perfection. I buried my self in work, spending most of my twilight hours at study. I began a genetics research program that at first seemed promising but in the end all subjects failed. I begin taking homeless people off the streets to be apart of my experiments. I was conducting an analysis check on a few subjects when my wife came into the lab.
Rebecca- Nathan you need to come home. (Then she saw the fruits of my labor)O dear God! What have you done?

Sin- I’ve been busy my dear. (I pick up a scalpel and put it behind my back) Rebecca maybe you should LEAVE! (I stab her in the throat and watch her die)

Rebecca- Nathan you SINISTER basterd!

Sin- Sinister hem I like that.

I am the devil and I have come to do the devil’s work.