"One Universe" RPG thread.

[Watchman]

Their location was New York but they had to make a stop in Chicago. After the recent incident the cops were in a frenzy. It seems that a mutant was detain, no reason was given. The 18 wheeler went down a street and stopped in the middle of the intersection. The cop van holding the mutant stopped and started beeping.

"What the hell get out of the way!" the back door of the truck opened revealing a very large man.

"Nothing moves the Blob!" what an idiot Magneto thought. The Blob knocked the car into the air while Magneto held it in the air and ripped in half. While Quicksilver ran and caught him. Pietro placed him on the ground and Magneto walked up to him.

"Do you know who I am?"

"That I do mate" the man said in a thick Australian accent

"And what is your name...your real name?"

"Name's Pyro" Suddenly sirens erupted all around them.

"Pyro this is your test. Get through this and you are in my Brotherhood"

 

[twylight]

Dinah peeks from behind the doorframe into Jay's room and smiles. As much as she'd like to go throw her arms around him she manages to hold herself back. Time to let Joan and Jay alone. Maybe her Uncle Ted will get smart and he will to.

Dinah steps back quietly and turns around bumping into Jarvis.

"Oh Jarvis! I'm sorry." She says softly

"No problem Ms. Lance."

She smiles at his still formal greeting.

"Could you make a large meal for our invalid guest? Make it breakfast, lunch and dinner." Jarvis gave a little nod as she quietly runs past him and down the stairs. Now it was time to see her man, she smiled thinking of him. She reaches his office and peeks through the door.

"Tony?" Her voice is absorbed in the empty room and she turns to leave before something catches the corner of her eye. She pauses. her hand on the door frame as she stares at the item peeking from behind the desk.
She glances into the hallway and finding it empty closes the door behind her and walks slowly towards the desk, bending over and picking the item up by it's long narrow neck.

A look of disgust and sadness mixes on her face as she stares at it in shock. It wasn't possible. He'd promised her. She leaned forward and allowed her delicate nose to smell it. It was fresh, days not weeks old.

She set it down quietly on the desk and stared at it. What now? If Jay or Ted found out... Dinah turned and quickly left the room. She'd bring it up with him tonight..not now..not while there was a chance of Ted and Jay hearing the potential argument.

 

[Andy C.]

"No", whispered the Surfer in shock as he charged into the asteroid field that was once the greatest planet in the universe, Oa.

Dodging between pieces of floating rock, Norrin scanned the area with his cosmic senses.
"It cannot be", he said breathlessly, "will I forever be damned to be a part of planetary genocide? Will I always be too late to stop this destruction?"

Surfer stopped in the midst of a few large chunks of planetary debris and reached out with the Power Cosmic. If there were any survivors amid this carnage, he would find them.

That is when Surfer felt it. A life sign...a faint one. The Surfer weaved through the floating space rocks as he darted towards the energy signature, hoping that he was not too late to save at least one life.

Coming to the source of the energy signature, Surfer was surprised, and relieved, to see that one Green Lantern had survived the onslaught. However he appeared to be in bad shape. Floating in the black next to him was his lantern, which was what he used to charge his power ring.
But, there was something not right about the battery. Through the Power Cosmic, Surfer felt many faint life forces inside of it. Strange indeed.

Those curiosities could wait however. There was a life that needed to be saved.
Surfer looked over the wounded man, and placed his hand on his shoulder. The Power Cosmic flowed through Norrin and into the Lantern, healing him of all his injuries.

Seeing the man's eyes begin to blink as he was coming too, the Surfer quickly spoke to dissuade any possible fight before it starts.
"Do not worry, Green Lantern", spoke Norrin as he backed off the Lantern to give him some room, "I not your enemy...not any more. As you probably know, I am known throughout the cosmos as the Silver Surfer. Once and now former herald to Galactus."

Hal's dazed mind quickly snapped back into alert, forcing his body into action. He raised his ring and aimed it at the Surfer in a moment of panic, but the ring did nothing. His charge had run out; he would have to take the Silver Surfer for his word.

"You're not an enemy? How am I supposed to believe that after..."

Hal paused. If the Surfer really was an opponent, he would have killed Jordan by now.

"It's not over...is it? Galactus and Sinestro and that...thing...that escaped the Central Battery. They're all still out there, aren't they?"

The metallic-skinned man said nothing. The Earthman's mind was spent, unable to continue his thoughts. All he could think of now was...

"Home," said Jordan, letting out a sigh of resignation. "Get me home."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Hal's dazed mind quickly snapped back into alert, forcing his body into action. He raised his ring and aimed it at the Surfer in a moment of panic, but the ring did nothing. His charge had run out; he would have to take the Silver Surfer for his word.

"You're not an enemy? How am I supposed to believe that after..."

Hal paused. If the Surfer really was an opponent, he would have killed Jordan by now.

"It's not over...is it? Galactus and Sinestro and that...thing...that escaped the Central Battery. They're all still out there, aren't they?"

The metallic-skinned man said nothing. The Earthman's mind was spent, unable to continue his thoughts. All he could think of now was...

"Home," said Jordan, letting out a sigh of resignation. "Get me home."

The Surfer paused as he contemplated the Lantern's words.
It never will be over, at least for me. And that is my burden in life...and rightfully so, thought Norrin as he hung his head low in regret.
"I do not know what the thing you speak of that escaped the Central Battery", replied Norrin as he raised his head and met the Lantern's eyes, "but Galactus still lives...I can sense that. And if my soon to be former Master still lives then whatever this thing was, it has been dealt with."

"As for this Sinestro", the Surfer continued, "if he was the Lantern who entered Galactus' ship then I know not what happened to him."

"If it is your wish to return to your home world, it will be my honor to take you. Which planet do you hail from...", the Surfer asked, leaving the final sentence trailing off hinting that he desired to know the Lantern's name.

 

[Andy C.]

"Earth. I'm from the planet Earth." Hal, despite being exhausted both physically and mentally, tried his best to compose himself. "Coast City, United States, if you want to be specific. Name's Hal Jordan, by the way. You have a name, or is it just Surfer?"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Earth. I'm from the planet Earth." Hal, despite being exhausted both physically and mentally, tried his best to compose himself. "Coast City, United States, if you want to be specific. Name's Hal Jordan, by the way. You have a name, or is it just Surfer?"

The Surfer smiled, "My name is Norrin Radd. It is good to meet you, Hal Jordan. I know just where your planet is located. In fact I was just there not long ago."

The Surfer's face grew more serious as he continued, "It was where the Lantern who invaded Galactus' ship planted the Shi'ar Nega Bomb. I had to travel there to retrieve and dispose of it before your planet could come to ill."


The Surfer paused as he reflected on the events which recently transpired.
Oa was gone, and the Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians of peace and justice throughout the universe, were down to a single being. And he helped bring it all about.
Norrin Radd gathered his inner strength. After he returned Hal Jordan to his planet, he would seek out his master and cut his strings. No more will he be a party to planetary extermination.
No more.

The Surfer shook off his thoughts and brought his attention back to the exhausted Lantern.
"Hold on, Hal Jordan", said the Surfer as he helped the last Lantern onto his board, "I will have you home in no time."

With that said, the Surfer took off for Earth, leaving the graveyard that was once the planet Oa behind them forever...



OOC: I left some room for you to add some Hal dialogue in between Surfer's if you so wish. If not let me know and I'll have us arrive on Earth in my next post.

 

[Byrd Man]

New York City

It was ealry morning when Queen I touches down at JFK, I taxi up to the private jet landing and pull open the leer jet's door. I have my briefcase and duffle bag in my hands as I walk down the steps, a runway tech meets me on the tarmac.

"Welcome to New York City Mr. Queen, Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Can you get me a taxi?"

Ten minutes later I'm in the back seat of a yellow cab and my driver's name is something with too many J's

"So, Where to my friend"

"Stark Mansion please."

After twenty minutesI step out the cab and hand the driver a crisp Ben Franklin, he drives off quickly afraid I'll change my mind. I breathe in deeply as I knock on the oak front door.

"Come on Ollie, You can do this."

 

[wiegeabo]

The shower feels so good.

I may have healed, but all of my muscles are still sore. And the hot water beating down on them feels like it's melting the years off. Infact, I'm starting to feel better than I have in years. I guess its like when you workout a lot, after awhile your body adapts to the extra strain and gets much stronger. Apparently, I did a lot of excersising during those hours in Chicago.

I turn the water off as my thoughts go back to Chicago. It was hard to not be able to help so many people, but it felt so good to save those we did. And to see Dinah work so hard, help so many people. I don't think I could have been more proud of her. And Tony...well, after seeing the heart he put into saving those lives...for the first time I can think of him marrying Dinah and not think twice about it.

I walk out of the bathroom wearing a robe and scrubbing my hair with a towel. I see some clothes laid out for me. Thank you Joan. She and Ted had gone downstairs to help Jarvis, although, for some reason, he didn't seem too happy about getting the help.

Dry and clothed, I walk downstairs. Even before getting to the bottom I can smell the food. I have to keep myself from kicking into superspeed to get to the kitchen. In the breakfast nook of the kitchen I see several plates of food laid out and my mouth starts watering.

"This looks so good," I say to Joan as I sit down, almost ignoring her and Ted. All I can focus on is the food as it feels like every cell in my body is screaming out for it. I take a second to look at Joan, Ted, and Jarvis. "You may not want to watch this," I say.

"He's right," both Joan and Ted say at the same time. They start laughing as Jarvis looks on confused, and lead the butler out of the room.

...

A few minutes later I've cleaned the plates, the refridgerator, most of the pantry, and I'm already eyeing the cupboards. That's when Jarvis walks unable, unable to totally hide the expression on his face.

But his voice stays steady. "Will that be all, sir?" Is that sarcasm in his voice?

I finish off the bag of mixed nuts in my hand and drain another bottle of water. "Almost," I say. The hunger had nearly passed. I'm afraid to even think of how many calories I scarfed down, not to mention what it did to my cholesterol. And yet, I feel better than I did before. Like I'm completely reenergized. I feel like I'm twenty again and dammit, I like it!

I grab a couple of apples out of the fruit basket and start chomping on one. "Sorry about the mess, Jarvis. And about emptying out the house."

"Don't even worry about it, Jay," Tony says from the doorway with a big grin on his face. "I think I can afford it. For now." I can't help but laugh a little too.

"Well that's good to know. Maybe I'll stop by everytime I go out and do something."

"I don't think I've got enough billions for that." He turns to the butler. "Jarvis, why don't you call the grocer and have him go ahead and deliver...everything."

"Yes, sir." Jarvis walks out of the room.

Tony leans against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, how are you feeling Jay?"

I take a seat at the table and start on the second apple. "Well, I'm still a little hungry," Tony's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, "but other than that, I fell good. Really good. Great, actually."

"That's good to hear. Thought we almost lost you back in Chicago. Dinah and Joan were a wreck, although they both put on brave faces. And Ted, we could tell he was worried, but he never showed it. Kept saying you'd come around in no time."

I nod. "That sounds about right." With the second apple done, I lean back and digest. "Speaking of Dinah, I haven't seen her since I collapsed. Does she know I'm up?"

"I think so. Maybe we shoud find her. Make sure."

"Sounds good. Where to?"

"I think she's upstairs."

We start walking up the stairs and find Dinah in an office. For a moment I could have sworn there was an expression of...but whatever it was is gone in the moment she sees us enter.

"Hi," I simply say.

 

[twylight]

OOC Just so ya'll know I'm switching to and from first and third person..since I can't decide which one yeat.

The shower feels so good.

I may have healed, but all of my muscles are still sore. And the hot water beating down on them feels like it's melting the years off. Infact, I'm starting to feel better than I have in years. I guess its like when you workout a lot, after awhile your body adapts to the extra strain and gets much stronger. Apparently, I did a lot of excersising during those hours in Chicago.

I turn the water off as my thoughts go back to Chicago. It was hard to not be able to help so many people, but it felt so good to save those we did. And to see Dinah work so hard, help so many people. I don't think I could have been more proud of her. And Tony...well, after seeing the heart he put into saving those lives...for the first time I can think of him marrying Dinah and not think twice about it.

I walk out of the bathroom wearing a robe and scrubbing my hair with a towel. I see some clothes laid out for me. Thank you Joan. She and Ted had gone downstairs to help Jarvis, although, for some reason, he didn't seem too happy about getting the help.

Dry and clothed, I walk downstairs. Even before getting to the bottom I can smell the food. I have to keep myself from kicking into superspeed to get to the kitchen. In the breakfast nook of the kitchen I see several plates of food laid out and my mouth starts watering.

"This looks so good," I say to Joan as I sit down, almost ignoring her and Ted. All I can focus on is the food as it feels like every cell in my body is screaming out for it. I take a second to look at Joan, Ted, and Jarvis. "You may not want to watch this," I say.

"He's right," both Joan and Ted say at the same time. They start laughing as Jarvis looks on confused, and lead the butler out of the room.

...

A few minutes later I've cleaned the plates, the refridgerator, most of the pantry, and I'm already eyeing the cupboards. That's when Jarvis walks unable, unable to totally hide the expression on his face.

But his voice stays steady. "Will that be all, sir?" Is that sarcasm in his voice?

I finish off the bag of mixed nuts in my hand and drain another bottle of water. "Almost," I say. The hunger had nearly passed. I'm afraid to even think of how many calories I scarfed down, not to mention what it did to my cholesterol. And yet, I feel better than I did before. Like I'm completely reenergized. I feel like I'm twenty again and dammit, I like it!

I grab a couple of apples out of the fruit basket and start chomping on one. "Sorry about the mess, Jarvis. And about emptying out the house."

"Don't even worry about it, Jay," Tony says from the doorway with a big grin on his face. "I think I can afford it. For now." I can't help but laugh a little too.

"Well that's good to know. Maybe I'll stop by everytime I go out and do something."

"I don't think I've got enough billions for that." He turns to the butler. "Jarvis, why don't you call the grocer and have him go ahead and deliver...everything."

"Yes, sir." Jarvis walks out of the room.

Tony leans against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, how are you feeling Jay?"

I take a seat at the table and start on the second apple. "Well, I'm still a little hungry," Tony's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, "but other than that, I fell good. Really good. Great, actually."

"That's good to hear. Thought we almost lost you back in Chicago. Dinah and Joan were a wreck, although they both put on brave faces. And Ted, we could tell he was worried, but he never showed it. Kept saying you'd come around in no time."

I nod. "That sounds about right." With the second apple done, I lean back and digest. "Speaking of Dinah, I haven't seen her since I collapsed. Does she know I'm up?"

"I think so. Maybe we shoud find her. Make sure."

"Sounds good. Where to?"

"I think she's upstairs."

We start walking up the stairs and find Dinah in an office. For a moment I could have sworn there was an expression of...but whatever it was is gone in the moment she sees us enter.

"Hi," I simply say.

I spin around and smile, gently laying the wine bottle donw behind a pile of papers.

"There are my two favorite boys!" I say lightly as I walk over and gently kiss Jay on the cheek, giving him a hug. "I've been looking for you."

"I am so glad you're up and walking. I assume Jarvis saw to your food needs?" I ask before slipping under Tony's arm. Trying to hide any worry from them with my normal light smile.

Tony gave a little laugh.
"I think my bank account did to." I give him a nudge in the ribs as he smiles down at me. I look up at him and for a few moments I'm captured in his eyes before the hurtful reminder of the bottle draws me back.

"You and Aunt Joan are staying for dinner right? Ted must stay as well. We can...finalize a few things."


OOC: byrd_man You can come for dinner.

 

[wiegeabo]

OOC Just so ya'll know I'm switching to and from first and third person..since I can't decide which one yeat.



I spin around and smile, gently laying the wine bottle donw behind a pile of papers.

"There are my two favorite boys!" I say lightly as I walk over and gently kiss Jay on the cheek, giving him a hug. "I've been looking for you."

"I am so glad you're up and walking. I assume Jarvis saw to your food needs?" I ask before slipping under Tony's arm. Trying to hide any worry from them with my normal light smile.

Tony gave a little laugh.
"I think my bank account did to." I give him a nudge in the ribs as he smiles down at me. I look up at him and for a few moments I'm captured in his eyes before the hurtful reminder of the bottle draws me back.

"You and Aunt Joan are staying for dinner right? Ted must stay as well. We can...finalize a few things."

My stomach growls with the mention of food. Strange, I never used to eat this much, even after going all out. But who am I to argue with my stomach. It's still early morning, so with a nice lunch, I can hold out until dinnertime. "We wouldn't miss it. And has Ted ever passed up a free meal?"

Coming down the hallway we hear a faint knocking. Tony's eyebrow rises with confusion. "Who could that be?" He steps up to his desk and presses a button on his computer. The screen shifts to show the view from the outside camera. "You've got to be kidding? What the hell does he want?"

I look at the picture. "Is that...?"

Tony sighs. "First they don't let Juggernaut in. Now they do let him in. I have got to fire those security guards."

 

[Andy C.]

(IC: General Zod)

The steps of Pokolistan's ruined Parliament building swarmed with activity. Dressed in his full Kryptonium battle armor, General Zod stood stoic and unmoving as his Disciples, the army of rebels and terrorists who had rallied behind him, prepared for the first wave of their new campaign. Throughout the battered city, weapons were distributed, attack parties organized, orders given, trucks loaded with the necessary supplies and personnel for what was to come.

The mob around the General, however, was not part of the attack plan. They were, in fact, a television crew, broadcasting Zod over the regional networks, knowing full-well that it would be picked up by the American news channels shortly thereafter.

"Men and women of America, today you will weep with fear. You will join the countless in Chicago whose eyes will sting with the bitter tears of loss and terror. Today, death and fury will rain down upon you from the skies. And there is only one man who is to blame for this: his name to you is 'Superman.'

"Yesterday in Chicago, I gave the world a warning that until the Kryptonian villain Kal-El surrendered himself to me and my army, I would attack another American city every day. The sun rises now, and still we have heard nothing from the arrogant son of Jor-El, the smug prince of your American culture. Unlike Kal-El, I am a man of my word, and will carry out exactly what I have said.

In less than one hour, I will be in your nation's capital, standing in front of your White House, waiting. If your so-called 'Superman' is not there, I will raze the city to the ground. I will crush its buildings and monuments into dust, I will burn away the air itself. If need be, I will kill every person in the city one by one. I will not stop until either Kal-El kneels before me, or until the city of Washington is a wasteland.

"People of America, you have brought into your bosom an enemy of Krypton, and until he comes before us, you must be counted as the enemy as well. If it means war....then so be it!"

The Rogue Son of Krypton rose slowly, majestically into the air, allowing the inferior Earthman with the camera to take in the power that was Zod. As the General rose higher and higher into the air, the Disciples began firing their guns wildly in celebration. When the signal was given, their comerades (who Zod had already secretly air-lifted into their positions): a campaign of sabotage, terror, and mass murder in dozens of American cities.

Today, there will be blood, the General thought. Today these lesser beings will know true fear and suffering. Today, the war begins...

 

[twylight]

My stomach growls with the mention of food. Strange, I never used to eat this much, even after going all out. But who am I to argue with my stomach. It's still early morning, so with a nice lunch, I can hold out until dinnertime. "We wouldn't miss it. And has Ted ever passed up a free meal?"

Coming down the hallway we hear a faint knocking. Tony's eyebrow rises with confusion. "Who could that be?" He steps up to his desk and presses a button on his computer. The screen shifts to show the view from the outside camera. "You've got to be kidding? What the hell does he want?"

I look at the picture. "Is that...?"

Tony sighs. "First they don't let Juggernaut in. Now they do let him in. I have got to fire those security guards."

I give an amused smile before Jarvis comes into the room.

"Shall I allow him entry?"

Tony hesitates for a moment as he thinks.

"It is the hospitable thing to do." I comment, leaning over his shoulder.

"Or are you afraid of a little competition?" I tease for fun putting my mouth closer to his ear so Jay can't hear.

Tony seems to snap out of his thoughts.

"Let him in Jarvis."

I look at Tony with mixed shock and bemusement, not the exact reaction I wanted. I slip my hand in his and squeeze it gently, enjoying the warmth of it, and look up at him.

"I love you."

He looks down and simply smiles, naturally sensitive to Jay being in the room, his eyes provide the answer I expect.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The rain poured down upon the stretched limo as it pulled up to the large office building that stood in the middle of an industrial complex.
A bolt of lightning etched across the sky and was quickly followed by the loud roar of thunder as the limo driver got out of the car and opened an umbrella.
Running around the car, the driver made his way to the rear side door of the limo and opened it. Angling the umbrella so it would keep the rain off of the man in the fine Canali suit who slowly got out of the limo, the driver closed the door behind him. Now getting drenched by the down pour, the driver vigilantly kept the umbrella angled perfectly so that the man would not get a drop of water on him.

As he moved to the building's large glass doors, the man stood their, an impatient look upon his face, as he waited for his driver to open the door for him. The driver, still trying his best to keep the umbrella in a position to keep the man dry, reached out and opened the door.
As he entered the building, the man straightened up his suit and began walking towards the front desk.

"Wait in the limo", said the man to the driver without even bothering to turn and look at him.
The driver gave a slight sigh and slowly walked back towards the car, while the man walked towards the front desk.
Not even acknowledging the security guard sitting at the desk, the man moved right on past towards the elevators in the rear of the lobby.
"Sir", said the guard with a respectful nod as the man walked past. He received no response.

The man entered the elevator and pressed a button that would take him to the basement. The elevator doors closed and it slowly began to descend. But, it did not stop at the basement...it went deeper. Much deeper.

Finally the elevator stopped after a minute of descending under the building. The doors opened to a long metal covered hallway lined with a few dozen doors on each side. Heavily armed guards patrolled the hallway and gave the man no trouble at all as he passed them. Not even a look.

Down the hallway the man in the Canali suit went until he came to the fourth door on the right side. The man moved to the keypad next to the door and punched in a series of numbers.
The pad light lit up green and the door slide open allowing the man entrance.
The man entered a gigantic room filled with tech assistants and scientist running around busy with what seemed important work. The man stood on a raised wide walkway that followed around the edge of the room and held many computers and other pieces of high technology.
In the center of the room in the lower level was a large, ship. A ship that had not been seen on this planet in weeks.
Moving down to the lower level via metallic stairs in front of him, the man in the Canali suit approached a lanky doctor in a lab coat as he studied the ship.

"Doctor Morrow", said the man simply and flatley as he came up from behind him to stand next to him.
The Doctor, startled at the surprise approach of the man, turned and replied, "Ah, Mr. Osborn...you startled me."
"You said you've made some significant progress", replied Norman Osborn as he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the alien ship.
"Yes", stated Morrow bluntly, "we've made major progress in our reverse engineering of this craft."
"You had better hope so, Doctor", replied Norman coldly, "I had to cancel an important business meeting for this."

"Oh, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised", said Dr. Morrow as he moved towards a computer station on the lower level.
"We've successfully reverse engineered it's unique plasma weaponry and believe we can begin mass producing this technology in six months."

Norman smiled as he thought of the money he would make off of selling this new weapon technology to the government...or governments.

"And the wormhole tech they used", asked Norman as he looked at the specs of the alien weaponry on the computer screen.

"We've made significant progress, but it still eludes up", replied Morrow with a frown, "I estimate it will be another three months before we are successfully able to use their teleportation technology for market use."

Norman scowled, "I want it done in a month or you're fired."
Morrow began to respond, but Osborn was already walking away and towards the room's exit.
The wormhole tech was still alluding him, but his people had finally reversed engineered the alien weaponry.
As Norman entered the elevator he paused before closing the door...he could've sworn he had heard laughter. Looking at the hallway he saw that the guards were too far down to have been the culprits.
Norman shook his head to shake the cobwebs loose and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.
It must be the lack of sleep I've been getting the past week, thought Osborn, that must be it.

As the elevator doors shut, Osborn could swear he heard the sinister cackling a final time.

 

[wiegeabo]

I give an amused smile before Jarvis comes into the room.

"Shall I allow him entry?"

Tony hesitates for a moment as he thinks.

"It is the hospitable thing to do." I comment, leaning over his shoulder.

"Or are you afraid of a little competition?" I tease for fun putting my mouth closer to his ear so Jay can't hear.

Tony seems to snap out of his thoughts.

"Let him in Jarvis."

I look at Tony with mixed shock and bemusement, not the exact reaction I wanted. I slip my hand in his and squeeze it gently, enjoying the warmth of it, and look up at him.

"I love you."

He looks down and simply smiles, naturally sensitive to Jay being in the room, his eyes provide the answer I expect.

Oliver Queen. Eccentric millionaire, or is it billionaire, of Star City. I only know about him through newspapers, especially the reports Lois Lane and Clark Kent did for the Daily Planet regarding a particular party at Queen's house...

"Perhaps I should let you two say hello. Don't want to be a third wheel or anything," I say. I return Dinah's eariler kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to go find Joan and Ted, see what kind of trouble their getting into." I walk out of the room to give the kids a few moments alone before they fact their guest.

I check a few rooms before I get back to the one I woke in. That is where I find Joan and Ted talking, laughing about old times. I stand at the door for a moment enjoying the sounds until I here Ted say, "Reminds me of this the in Kansas City..."

"Hey," I say bursting into the room, conveniently interrupting Ted. I give Joan a big hug as she stands up. "Enough with the past," I say smiling, throwing a look at Ted. He just laughs at my expense.

"I don't know," Joan says, poking me in the ribs, "it sounded like it may have been a good story."

"No, no. Just another boring Ted tale." I throw him a look saying I'll get you for this.

"Ha, yeah, just another boring story...involving someone dressed in a chicken costume."

"Now I have to hear it!"

The look I throw Ted now says I'm going to kill you. It just makes him laugh all the more. "Who made all the wonderful food down there?" I ask, trying to deflect the conversation.

"Ted kept Jarvis busy while I worked on it."

"Sounds like Ted was finally good for something."

"Keep it up, buddy," he smiles.

"So what happened while my lights were was out?" I ask, sitting down with Joan. I see her give Ted a look, and Ted return it. "What?"

Ted leans against the wall. "Someone claimed responsibility for Chicago."

"Who?" I say, a little anger in my voice.

"A Kryptonian, named Zod."

Kryptonian? Like..."Like Superman?"

"That bastard's nothing like Superman. Superman helps people. He's one of us. Zod is just a lying mother-"

"He demanded," Joan interrupts, "that Superman surrender himself because his family are criminals on their world."

"More lies, I say."

"Well, Superman won't just give up. He'll confront..."

"It looks like he's going to do just that. Much as said so during his debate with Luthor."

Damn. I'm out for a little while and the world goes to hell? "He can't just give up. There's no telling what Zod will do then." I stand up. "We can't let him give up. We've got to talk some sense into him."

"Jay..."

"No! I may not know much about him, but Superman has never done anything to harm the people of this world. Unlike Zod! I'm not going to let him just turn himself over like this."

"What can you do Jay?"

"I'll tell you what I can do." In a gust of wind I'm in my uniform. "I'm going to have a nice long talk the kid. And if that doesn't bring Superman out of it, then I'll beat some sense into him."

Before they can say another word, I'm already gone...


...and in Metropolis. I run up the side of a tall building, look out over the city, and wait. "If you're out there Superman," I say to myself, "I need to talk with you..."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Mr. Queen. It's good to see you again."

Stark's butler Jarvis welcomes me in and grabs my breifcase and duffle bag.

"No offense, Jeeves but I'll be holding on to this one."

I take my duffle bag back and he nods.

"Mr. Stark will be...thrilled to see you."

I follow him through the mansions hallways and past rooms, we come to a closed room at the end of the hallway, Jarvis knocks softly.

"Mr. Stark, a Oliver Queen to see you."

"Um, actually my business if with Ms. Lance."

The look on his face says it all as the door swings open.

 

[Batman]

IC: Clark Kent

I look out the window of the monorail. Metropolis is all that I see. It only reminds me of my pain, in doing this. I... I don't want to leave. I never have. But if it means that I stand even the slightest chance of preventing more death than what Zod has already brought forth, It's no longer an option for me. My mind is made up. I'm surrendering.

I look away from the city that I was proud to call my new home. There are only few things I have to do before I leave. One of which is traveling back to my apartment, to gather some items of which I want Ma and Pa to hang onto, even if I never come back. Then, I say goodbye, before handing myself over to the monster. I don't find myself praying for mercy for me. Only for them. All of them. I can now only hope I'm making the right decision.

As the monorail stops, I grab the bar above me, and get up, letting everyone else get out before me. I look back, remembering the day that I came here, for my job interview with The Daily Planet. I smile, a little, thinking of how nervous I was. Me. Nervous... over something as simple as that. It's rediculous to think... But I guess that's where Lois was right. There is a human part of me that I can't ignore. Which makes this decision even harder.

"Goodbye...", I say to myself, as I look back at Metropolis. It... well, I was never one for goodbyes. I've never had to say it to anyone with the possible exception of Lana, the day I came here. Now, I'm saying it to a whole city. One that I protected to the best of my ability. I feel like, saying goodbye... I'm losing apart of myself.

No, Clark. Stop it. It'll only make it worse for you.

I decide to take my own advice, and turn away, walking off of the train. So much to do, So little time. I now completely understand what that saying means. I-

...

I hear something. A voice... One that I know that I've heard before, but can't place. But it calls for me. It calls for Superman.

"If you're out there Superman, I need to talk with you..."

I look around, making sure no one heard it aswell. No one acts like they have. I must've picked it up with my more... advanced hearing. I can't place a face to the voice, but I know that I've heard it, recently. Someone older than I am, from the sound of it.

I walk forward. Should I try to find the origin? Or would it just be a waste of my time? I'm saying goodbye to Metropolis. How can I do that if I'm being called off at every second? Still... He seemed desperate to talk to me. And who knows how far he traveled-

...

Traveled. A master of traveling. A master of speed... The Flash. That's where I recognise the voice. We met in New York, after the incident with Mysterio. I look to my left, then to my right. Street's practically deserted. If I can make it across to the alleyway ahead of me...

I decide to answer the call. After all, when will I get another chance? I dash forward, the speed hitting my body as I surge through the alleyway, ripping my outer clothes and glasses from my body. In seconds, I'm airbourne.

It came from a higher level. Which means it probably came from a rooftop, as opposed to a street. I can the skyscrapers and buildings with my x-ray vision, hoping to catch a glimpse of...

Yes. There he is. I can see the winged helmet that he adorns up ahead. It's not hard to spot, admittedly. I fly up, before descending downward, onto the rooftop. He turns, seeing me, as I land.

"Alright, then. Talk with me."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Alright, then. Talk with me."

As Superman decends from the sky, I have so many things I want to say. So many things to talk to him about. But one thing comes to the forefront of my mind.

"Ok, a question. Just what the hell do you think your doing?!?"

 

[Batman]

IC: Superman

As Superman decends from the sky, I have so many things I want to say. So many things to talk to him about. But one thing comes to the forefront of my mind.

"Ok, a question. Just what the hell do you think your doing?!?"

I think I already know what he's talking about. With the way Lois reacted to my departure to the press conference, I guess everyone knows what I intend to do. My surrendering will probably go down in the history books, by the time all of this is over, unfortunatley. By his tone, he seems opposed. I don't know why. I'm doing the world a favor.

"You're talking about my surrender, aren't you?"

I can tell from the way he reacts, He is.

"What I'm doing is preventing the incident in Chicago from occuring again.", I begin. "What else am I supposed to do? If I fight him, everything will only become worse. He'll attack more cities. Destroy more lives. All until he's had what he wants. Me. Whether that's dead or alive, I don't want to risk anymore deaths. I refuse to risk that."

 

[twylight]

"Mr. Queen. It's good to see you again."

Stark's butler Jarvis welcomes me in and grabs my breifcase and duffle bag.

"No offense, Jeeves but I'll be holding on to this one."

I take my duffle bag back and he nods.

"Mr. Stark will be...thrilled to see you."

I follow him through the mansions hallways and past rooms, we come to a closed room at the end of the hallway, Jarvis knocks softly.

"Mr. Stark, a Oliver Queen to see you."

"Um, actually my business if with Ms. Lance."

The look on his face says it all as the door swings open.

Tony's face hardens and I know instantly the problem. Something about Oliver Queen rubs Tony the wrong way and him saying he was here to see me just amplified it a hundredfold.

I take a step forward and smile at him, purposefully keeping my hand in Tony's as his tightens around mine.

"Mr. Queen It's nice to see you again. What can I help you with?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Tony's face hardens and I know instantly the problem. Something about Oliver Queen rubs Tony the wrong way and him saying he was here to see me just amplified it a hundredfold.

I take a step forward and smile at him, purposefully keeping my hand in Tony's as his tightens around mine.

"Mr. Queen It's nice to see you again. What can I help you with?"

Jesus, I haven't been this nervous since my senior prom, I lick my lips and take in a deep breath.

"If you don't mind I would like to talk to you in private."

 

[wiegeabo]

IC: Superman



I think I already know what he's talking about. With the way Lois reacted to my departure to the press conference, I guess everyone knows what I intend to do. My surrendering will probably go down in the history books, by the time all of this is over, unfortunatley. By his tone, he seems opposed. I don't know why. I'm doing the world a favor.

"You're talking about my surrender, aren't you?"

I can tell from the way he reacts, He is.

"What I'm doing is preventing the incident in Chicago from occuring again.", I begin. "What else am I supposed to do? If I fight him, everything will only become worse. He'll attack more cities. Destroy more lives. All until he's had what he wants. Me. Whether that's dead or alive, I don't want to risk anymore deaths. I refuse to risk that."

My expression changes to one of sympathy. It's an old story, an old tactic used to make heroes give up the fight. "Believe me, that's not the first time I've heard that."

I walk up to Superman and put a hand on his shoulder. "Listen son, I know you think what you're doing is right. That it will save lives. But was in Chicago after the attack, helping some and watching others..." the events are still sharp in my mind, "and not being able to help others. But you didn't do that. No matter what Zod says, it wasn't your fault. He did it. He's the one that is responsible. And his claims that your father, that your family are criminals have no bearing here. All you have ever done is help. While Zod, the self-proclaimed Kryptonian hero, is the one doing harm. Zod is the villain here, not you."

I give the words a moment to sink in. "If you give yourself up, how can you be certain he will leave the innocents alone? What...who will stop him if decides to go back on his word? Maybe he could be stopped, but how many would be hurt trying to do that? It may not feel like it, but you have a lot of people, powered and unpowered, behind you. I trust you Superman. I believe in you."

"There's an old saying: 'Freedon isn't free.' And it's true. If we don't fight for our liberties, we lose them. Well, the same can be said for truth, and for life. If we don't fight for them, then they are worthless. And your life is far from worthless."

"I'm not going to lie to you. If you fight, people may be hurt. People may be killed. And that is tragic, and trust me, it hurts. But if the villains win, what was the point of it all? When Darkseid came, we could have given up. It's possible nobody would have been killed. So why did we fight so hard, why did we sacrifice? Why did ordinary people, without any powers, put their own lives on the line, and lose those lives, when they could have surrendered lived?"

I answer for him. "Because a life lived in fear is no life. We would only have been shells, bodies under the rule of a tyrant. We would have lost our souls. And everytime we give in to a villain, we give up on what really matters."

I can see that he is contemplating what I've said. I turn and look out over the city, putting one foot on the ledge and my hand on my knee. "I know it's a tough choice. But be sure to consider all sides of the story. You can't trust Zod because he has done nothing to earn any trust." I turn my head to look at him. "You're the one who's proven himself a hero."

I walk back up to him. "Whatever your decision is, I'll respect it. If you give yourself up to him, know that there will still be people here to do the work. And if you don't, if Zod tries to make good on his threat...well, I'm working on putting a team of heroes together, and we'll be at your disposal if you need us. Infact, we'd be honored if you would join the team. You don't have to face Zod alone."

 

[Batman]

IC: Superman

My expression changes to one of sympathy. It's an old story, an old tactic used to make heroes give up the fight. "Believe me, that's not the first time I've heard that."

I walk up to Superman and put a hand on his shoulder. "Listen son, I know you think what you're doing is right. That it will save lives. But was in Chicago after the attack, helping some and watching others..." the events are still sharp in my mind, "and not being able to help others. But you didn't do that. No matter what Zod says, it wasn't your fault. He did it. He's the one that is responsible. And his claims that your father, that your family are criminals have no bearing here. All you have ever done is help. While Zod, the self-proclaimed Kryptonian hero, is the one doing harm. Zod is the villain here, not you."

I don't look at him. I can't look at him. Especially after he mentions the people he wasn't able to help.

The problem is, I know that I wasn't the one who killed them. I know I didn't commit those unspeakable acts of violence and destruction. But he did it all in my name. Because of me, and what I've chosen to stand for. I may not have pulled the trigger, but I was the reason it was pulled in the first place.

Either way, I'm not going to ignore my part in it. I was the reason. He executed on my name. My people's name, when he claimed that he was acting on Kryptonian order. I still don't feel any less responsible, no matter how much more that Zod had a hand in it.

I give the words a moment to sink in. "If you give yourself up, how can you be certain he will leave the innocents alone? What...who will stop him if decides to go back on his word? Maybe he could be stopped, but how many would be hurt trying to do that? It may not feel like it, but you have a lot of people, powered and unpowered, behind you. I trust you Superman. I believe in you."

I look back at him, slowly. Something about what he just said... "I trust you Superman. I believe in you." They actually caught my attention.

I'm standing infront of a legend. A man who's saved many more lives than I have, for longer than most of us. I remember reading about this man as a kid, growing up on a farmland in Kansas. I knew that someday, I wanted to be just like him, and the rest of the Justice Society of America.

And now... He believes in me? To say that I feel overwhelmed by that is an understatement.

But he's right about something else, aswell. Something that's been troubling me for quite some time. The possibilty of Zod going against his word. He's right about it, and I've known it since Zod made his initial threat. I can't be sure. And that in itself is a bigger risk than the lives I wanted to save by giving myself up.

His words are starting to bring back that same conflict that I had earlier... Only now, I may have an even stronger argument not to.

"There's an old saying: 'Freedon isn't free.' And it's true. If we don't fight for our liberties, we lose them. Well, the same can be said for truth, and for life. If we don't fight for them, then they are worthless. And your life is far from worthless."

"I'm not going to lie to you. If you fight, people may be hurt. People may be killed. And that is tragic, and trust me, it hurts. But if the villains win, what was the point of it all? When Darkseid came, we could have given up. It's possible nobody would have been killed. So why did we fight so hard, why did we sacrifice? Why did ordinary people, without any powers, put their own lives on the line, and lose those lives, when they could have surrendered lived?"

I answer for him. "Because a life lived in fear is no life. We would only have been shells, bodies under the rule of a tyrant. We would have lost our souls. And everytime we give in to a villain, we give up on what really matters."

...

Lord... He's right. He's absolutely right.

I can see that he is contemplating what I've said. I turn and look out over the city, putting one foot on the ledge and my hand on my knee. "I know it's a tough choice. But be sure to consider all sides of the story. You can't trust Zod because he has done nothing to earn any trust." I turn my head to look at him. "You're the one who's proven himself a hero."

I'm confused. Honestly, truthfully... utterly confused.

I had been so set on my decision to turn myself in. I was ready to say goodbye to those that had raised me on all of my ideals, and built me into the man I've become today. Ma and Pa... Lana, Pete... Jor-El... Perry White... even Lois... They've all helped mature me from a lost survivor of a long dead race, to... well, whatever I am at this moment. I've changed, even from the first day that I arrived in Metropolis. And I owe it to them. But I was ready to leave that behind? Suddenly, my own reasoning escapes me. Why? Why would I want to do that? Am I not grateful for what this world has given me?

And now, I find myself contemplating his words over the ones I told myself just hours ago. He brings up some valid points. I can't trust Zod. I still don't want to endanger any lives, but at the same time, if I have fight for this world... even if there are casualties, would the end result save far more lives than if I surrendered? Is that not my goal?

There are good points supporting arguments. But in the end, I guess I'm really the only one that can truly decide. And right now, I'm at an indecision. Even though I hate to be.

I walk back up to him. "Whatever your decision is, I'll respect it. If you give yourself up to him, know that there will still be people here to do the work. And if you don't, if Zod tries to make good on his threat...well, I'm working on putting a team of heroes together, and we'll be at your disposal if you need us. Infact, we'd be honored if you would join the team. You don't have to face Zod alone."

I look at him, eyes slightly widened. A team... An entire team devised of costumed heroes like us? I remember when I had once contemplated this myself, after the invasion. I only abandoned the idea because I had no time to assemble one. But he has been. And now there is going to be one, ready to take on threats like Zod...

This both eases and worsens the decision of what I'm going to do. I can either fight against Zod, and die trying to defend Earth, and everyone I've grown to care about. Or, I can surrender, and leave the possibility of Zod going against his word to them. But on that side of the decision, Zod's return is only a possibility... they may not even have to deal with him.

And if they died, of all people on this world, I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself for allowing it. Flash just told me that I've proven myself to be a hero. But in my eyes, they're equally as such, if not moreso.

Odd. I never would've considered that, before. I initially remember thinking them to be nothing but glory seekers, or lunatics. I have changed. But maybe for the better...

I decide to finally speak up, after what feels like an eternity of silence.

"You can't stop me from going to Zod."

I can see the disappointment begin to surface on his face. But I respond to him with a smile. To think... He actually thinks that I'm a hero.

"But I'm not saying that I'm going to surrender, when I do."

 

[SuperFerret]

Jesus, I haven't been this nervous since my senior prom, I lick my lips and take in a deep breath.

"If you don't mind I would like to talk to you in private."

"As a matter of fact, I do mind." I say, giving Ollie a challenging look, and squeezing Dinah's hand a bit more.

 

[Byrd Man]

"As a matter of fact, I do mind." I say, giving Ollie a challenging look, and squeezing Dinah's hand a bit more.

I look over at Stark and shoot him a dirty look

"Don't you have a bottle you can crawl into?"

 

[SuperFerret]

I look over at Stark and shoot him a dirty look

"Don't you have a bottle you can crawl into?"

I tense up, inadvertantly squeezing Dinah's hand harder. I want to hit him, right in the jaw, and hard.

But, I don't, even though I've had a few already, I'm still in control. I let go of Dinah's hand and storm out of the room.