"One Universe" RPG thread.

[Sentry2005]

<IRON MAN>

I'm soaring through the skies of New York.

Actually soaring.

This is incredible.

Then I get hit with the ultimate downer.

"New Message Recieved!" Pings the internal e-mail monitor.

"Read"

"You have been invited by Oliver Queen for the annual Big Bash. Please feel free to bring along a date, and remember your check book..."

I cringe.

Queen hates me for my weapons sales.

It's not like I like weapons.

They just make me a lot of money. Money I can use to develop this suit. To HELP people.

"Reply; Tony Stark will be attending, with guest. Question: Will the booze be watered down like last year, and should I bring my own?"

I smirk.

IF Queen reads that, it's worth it. If he doesn't... It's still worth it on the off chance.

I turn around in mid air.

On the streets below is ANOTHER spandex wearing man.

They're breeding.

And breeding bad taste.

He's covered in gold...

Some people have NO style!

Five Hours Later...

Stark Towers Penthouse:

"Oh come on, what do you say? You really don't want to come to the annual event of the season with me?"

"That's right Tony... I DON'T!"

"Now I know you're lying."

"Shut up Mr. Stark."

"You weren't saying that last night Miss Lance."

"Shh... just because we find mutual... satisfaction... doesn't mean we're dating!"

"True, but don't you just want to rub their noses in it?"

I smile. I know she's going to say yes.

"You don't know what I want..."

"But I DO know we are the best looking couple in the country, and I know how much we gain from being photo'ed togeather."

She smiles back.

"Fine... Anthony... but you're not wearing that awful bow tie... the one which is shaped like a... well you know."

"Peh! ruin all my fun why don't you!"

"Not all of it... mmmmmm"

Well that's going to win it for me. I mean, unless Queen or Wayne have gotten an Amazonian Goddess, I think Dana Lance may just win me the prize of best looking lady.

And the rest of the night is a long, but pleasureable one...

 

[The Question]

(IC: The Joker)

The time: 1:00 AM.

The place: Cory's crazy costume and clothing store in Gotham City.

The Scene: A car is crashed into the wall of the store. The door is broken and hanging off of it's hinges. Inside, Cory lies bleeding on the floor, and a man stands in front of a miror. The man has just tried on a purple suit, a and is admiring himself. The man is as pale as bone, with hair as green as the feilds of Ireland, and a dark fire in his eyes as black as space itself.

"Not too shabby is I do say so myself. Not too shabby at all. But....."

He turns to Cory, who lies on the ground gasping for breath.

"....there's something missing. What do you think, Cory?"

"p...please don't kill me."

"C'mon Cory. Don't be a whiner. Now, back to me. There's something missing. Something that would just tie the whole look together. But what?"

He turns around and takes a look at the store. He then spots a shelf stocked with make up supplies.

"Ah. There we go!"

He skips over to the shelf and grabs a toob of lipstick. He then goes back over to the mirror and applies it to his lips. He begins speaking to his reflection.

"Presh, you look marvelous. Simply marvelous."

As the man admires his reflection, Cory cralws over to the counter. Under the counter is a shotgun. If he can just get to it.....




Suddenly, a foot slams down on Cory's hand. Cory looks up, and sees the face of a demon staring down at him.

"Howdy Cory. Watcha doin'?"

The man reaches under the counter and pulls out the shotgun.

"Oh Cory. Cory Cory CORY! You should know by now not to play with such dangerous toys."

The man points the gun at Cory's face and puts his finger on the trigger.

"I think somebody needs to be punished."

"please, d...."

The man pulls the trigger. A shock goes up the length of his arm as Cory's brains fly out the back of his head.

"Doctor, I think he may have lost his mind."

He drops the gun, and steps behind the counter. On the counter is a deck of cards and a newspaper. The man sits down, picks up the newspaper, and begins reading. He stops when he finds a very interesting article.

"Hmmmm. The Batman: Man, Myth, or Menace?"

He begins to read the article. Reads of "The Batman's" exploits. He reads about the several muggings, rapes, and home invasions "The Batman" has stopped". He reads, and he smiles.

"HA! If they think this guy is a menace....."

He knockes over the deck of cards, and then out of the scattered cards picks up a Joker card. He holds it up into the air and looks at it.

".....wait'll the get a load of me."​

 

[Sentry2005]

Skeets and I have been planning this for ages. We know the rules and laws of Time travel.

If we mess up, well basically, we can't mess up.

Time is fluid. No matter what happens, or what you believe to be history, it's all completely relevent. So if Hitler fought for the Allies in world war two as a result of something I did, I haven't changed history. History has been made by me.

It's a complicated rule system, but the jist is history can't be changed or altered. It simply is. And because of that, I am looking forward to meeting the JSA, the Batman, Superman, Green Lantern... all of them.

This is going to be so COOL!

I've got the Legionaire ring that me and Skeets stole. As well as the quantum bands that let me fire energy.

I'm going back to the dawn of the age of superheroes. Before any of that Darkseid stuff happened. Before Lex Luthor was president. Before we had Conner Kent, and any of the stuff that made the world a darker place.

I'm going to the Golden Age.

I press a button on the suits left sleeve, and a bright wave of energy thrusts into me and Skeets.

Everything is white.

Until the world comes into focus.

I'm outside a building in what looks to be New York.

But I don't recognise it as the correct New York.

I see a man rocket through the sky in a red suit of armour. Judging by the speed and flight systems, it's using New Genesis tech.

This is so wrong. Stupidly wrong.

This isn't how history tells it.

Meaning I have no idea where I am...

"Crap"

<Booster Gold>

Ok, this makes NO sense.

I'm meant to be at the dawn of Superman... Batman...

What the hell is Rocket Red doing about? Not to mention here in New York.

Something's very wrong.

"Skeets... When are we?"

Skeets beeps a little before responding.

"Sir, we have arrived at the point in time that was specified. However it would seem there may have been a little, teeny tiny, really really accidental, totally unplanned dimension jump."

I stare at the droid.

"What?!"

"Well, when I say may have, accidentally gone and jumped into a new dimension... I think I actually mean... we did."

"WHAT?!"

"Um... mister, are you ok?"

I stare at the little girl who's talking.

"What?"

"Yeah... you seem to be saying that alot. And you're wearing your pajama's in public... people like you are insane."

"Bug off kid, i'm on a mission of interdimensional fame"

The kid roles her eyes.

"Yeah, cos I haven't heard THAT one before"

I turn back to Skeets.

"Skeets, are Superman and Batman not around in this dimension?"

"Oh, the Batman... he's hitting all the news at the moment!"

I turn back to the kid.

"Really?"

"Oh yeah, I mean he's not my favourate... I like Spider-Man the best."

"Spider-Who?"

"Ok sir, it's getting kinda late... you want me to walk you to the homeless shelter?"

"The homeless shelt-- GET OUTA HERE, I'M BOOSTER GOLD!"

The kid smiles.

"And i'm Amy. But, Booster, you're going to freeze in those PJ's, so come on..."

The kid grabs my hand.

"What? Are you a nut job kid?"

As the kid leads me, I hear her mutter...

"Yeah, i'm leading a grown man in pajama's and he thinks I'M a nut job..."

 

[Sparta*]

<Mister Fantastic>

"Wow, they really made a big deal out of this" Sue said staring down at the large stage, massive group of reporters, camera men, and news vans from the top floor of the Baxter building.

"Well your boyfriend did crash a 50 million dollar NASA shuttle, expose us to cosmic radiation, and then not notify anyone for a couple of days" Johnny replied

"It wasn't his fault Johnny and you know it...no one could have predicted where the cloud would show up" Sue replied

"Out of all the vastness of space, it had to intersect with our flight path...seems a little too convenient" Johnny replied. Just then Reed walked into the main area of the room where Johnny, Susan, and Ben were.

"Are you guys ready for this? It's going to be a circus down there" Reed said

"I see news vans from every station I can think of Reed...this is going to be huge...we won't be able to walk outside without people hounding us from now on..." Sue replied

"We chose our path, and now we have to follow it through...we knew there would be risks" Reed said

"Well what about names?" Johnny said tossing a newspaper across the counter towards Reed and Sue. "We got Spider-man, Bat-man, and a ton of other spandex clad heroes showing up...what should our super hero names be? I'm thinkin'.....Human Torch...yea, I like that"

"Well it sums up just how hot headed you are" Ben replied

"Oh yeah, well what about you? how about...Thing" Johnny replied with a smirk. Ben was about to get up and give Johnny a rock solid fist to the face but then he stopped.

"I am just a Thing..." He said "My superhero name is the least of my worries...and I don't plan on being this way for long thanks to Reed...so Thing is fine" Ben said in a depressed tone

"For you Sue, how about the Invisible Dame?" Johnny said. Sue shot him a dirty look "....okay...Invisible Gal? Invisible Girl?"

"Invisible Woman will be just fine" Sue snapped back "And for you Reed...how about....Mister Fantastic?"

"Very gratuitous Sue...but it can work...at least for now" Reed said. "Now, lets go greet our guests"

The 4 proceeded to take the elevator and walked out the spinning doors of the Baxter building to be instantly met with flashing camera lights everywhere and random questions being thrown at them from every which way. They made their way up to the stage.

Reed walked up to the podium, Sue and Johnny were on his right, and Ben was on his left. People gasped at the sight of the Thing.

"Good day everyone. My name is Reed Richards, and this is Benjamin Grimm, Susan Storm, and Johnny Storm. As you all know we embarked on a mission to outer space in search of clues to help us understand D.N.A and genetics. We were hoping to find clues that would light our path to understanding exactly what route evolution takes in the restructing of our cellular structure. What we found might very well be exactly what we were looking for...in an indirect way. Our ship was hit by a still unknown form of cosmic radiation that drastically altered me and my crew. We are experiencing various symptoms, and are undergoing some changes"

"What kind of changes?" A reporter shouted out

"Are your symptoms contageous to normal people?" Another shouted right after.

"NO our symptoms are not contageous to others" Reed said "I have made sure of that...that is why we waited to go public with this. Some of our changes are apparent, some are not. In time you will see exactly what we can do..."

"What are you saying? Are you guys joining the crime fighting scene with all the other crazies that are popping up everywhere?" another reporter said

"Well it would be a shame to let these powers go to waste..." Reed said "It would be ignorant to have the ability to help others, and not do so"

"Well if you guys are going to be superheros, what are your superhero names?" a fourth reporter said

"Susan Richards is the Invisible Girl, her brother Johnny is the Human Torch, Benjamin Grimm is the Thing, and I am Mister Fantastic...a name I had no hand in selecting I assure you" Reed said

"You were already a famous scientist before all this Reed, mainly based on all your inventions, but now, with this, and your new powers you guys are going to be everywhere...any chance you will be attending Mr. Queens party for the cream of the crop?" a journalist said

"We received an invitation from Mr. Queen this morning. Though we don't desire to be celebrities, me and my girlfriend Sue could use a romantic, peaceful, night out after all the current happenings" Reed replied "Are there anymore questions out there............?"

 

[Batman]

I've checked her apartment.Maybe that was a waste of time,considering how much of a hard worker she is.

She can be a pain,sometimes,but at least she's dedicated to her work.Hey,at least we have something in common...

I fly into the city,taking in the air...the feeling of it all.I've been so busy lately that I've forgot how much of a thrill it is to be doing this...and how relaxing it is,at the same time.

As I do,I catch myself almost flying straight into a billboard.Reacting to it,I fly upwards,and increase my speed,so I won't hit it.It works...barely.

I stop,and turn around,looking at the billboard.'LUTHORFISK INCORPERATED'.

...What a sick form of irony that would've been,had I flown into it.

Shaking my head,I focus on my destination.It sticks out amonst the skyscrapers,so...it isn't hard to find.Of course,I do work there,aswell...

Flying past the globe reading 'DAILY PLANET',I float down,to the windows of the main offices.The office is closed,but...sure enough,Lois is in there,typing away on her computer.

Oddly enough,Her desktop seems to have a picture of me on it...

Spotting an open window,I quietly float into the building.I do it so discreetly that she doesn't even notice when I float right next to her.

"I like the desktop."

She gasps,looking up at me.I smile.

"S...Superman!"

I gently lower myself onto the ground.

"That's what they seem to be calling me,these days.Although I heard you were the one that made it up,Ms.Lane."

She smiles,a little.But then her eyes widen.

"I...I hope you don't mind,of course.."

I shake my head.

"Not at all.Infact,I'm rather fond of it.And it's an honor,getting my name from such a great reporter."

I can tell she blushes,at that one.I'm sure she hears it all the time,though...so...Why my opinion should matter is beyond me.

"Thank you.I means alot,coming from you."

I raise an eyebrow.

"It does?"

I don't think she meant to say that outloud,from her reaction.

"I mean...Yes,of course it does.I mean,you are...I mean...um....a man who can...um...I mean..."

"You've said 'I mean' four times in your last sentance."

She lowers her head.I think I embarrassed her,with that last comment.I didn't mean to...

"I'm sorry.It's just..."

I smile again.

"No,It's okay.I can understand...all of this is probably something very new to someone such as yourself."

She relaxes,a little.Good...because I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

Although,sitting infront of a man who can fly and bounce bullets off of his skin probably wouldn't make someone feel all that comfortable...

"Well...You are the first man I've ever met who can...well...fly,the way you do.I'll give you that."

I smile a little more,at that comment.

"But...Why are you here?I thought someone like you would want to stay hidden..."

I look at her.

"Truthfully,That's not who I am.I want people to know the truth about me,and why I'm here.Although there are things I want to keep to myself...I don't want the public to get the wrong idea about me."

Her eyes widen,again.

"Are you saying you want...an interview?"

I nod.

"That was the general idea."

She looks absolutley speechless.I don't think anyone has ever asked her for an interview...she is notorious for seeking them out on her own,not the other way around.

"And you...You came to me?"

"Well...Yes.I knew if there was a reporter I could trust to print the whole truth about me,it was you,Ms.Lane."

I almost think she's going to faint again.But,instead,she gets up,and pulls another chair to her desk.

"You might want to sit down."

I smirk,a little.I'm guessing she has alot of questions,from that...

But,I comply.If I'm to tell the world that what I'm doing is out of good and righteousness,I might aswell trust her to let me get my message out.

"Okay,then."

I sit across from her,as she scrambles to find a tape recorder...Even though there's one right infront of her.I pick it up,and hold it up to her.

"I believe your looking for this."

She smiles,and takes it.

"Oh...Yes,thank you."

I wait,as she starts it.My only hope is that my voice won't be recognisable on the playback...

"So...Where are you from?"

Oh great.She asks the one question that even I don't know the whole answer to...

"Well...It's...kind of hard to explain,really.You see...I'm not from around here."

"From Metropolis?"

"Actually...from this planet.Or this galaxy,even."

She raises an eyebrow.

"You don't believe me,do you?"

She smirks,a little.

"Considering I'm talking to a man who can defy the laws of physics...I can believe it."

I smile.Normally,Smiling isn't something I do,so much.But with her...It's...different.It's a feeling that's hard to describe...

"I originally come from a planet called Krypton,actually.But it exploded,when I was an infant."

"Krypton...Is that spelled C-R-I-P-T-O-N?"

"Actually,It's with a K-R-Y."

She nods,understanding.

"What is your name?Your...real one,I mean?"

I look at her,almost ready to answer that.It's a good think I stopped myself...because I almost answered 'Clark Kent'.I have to be more careful...

"From what little I understand about my...well...past,My name is Kal-El.I was sent here by my parents,whose names were Jor-El and Lara."

I'm surprised I'm being this honest.But...I can't lie.It's not in me to do that.I was raised not to lie...just...be vague,on the whole truth,when regarding my abilities.

And considering my birth name really is Kal-El...I'm not exactly lying.I'm just not mentioning my other name...

"What all can you do?I mean,I know you can fly,your strong,your fast,and your practically invulnerable...but...do you have any more abilities?"

I think about that question.

"Well...Aside from the ones you mentioned...So far,I can see through walls,expell heat rays from my eyes,hear things from far away,and freeze things when I breathe really hard.Aside from that,nothing else...to my knowledge,anyway."

She looks speechless again,for a second.Then,she raises an eyebrow.

"Wait...you can see through anything?"

I remember LuthorCorp towers,and how I couldn't see through the walls.While I don't know why...I guess I really can't see through everything.

"Well...almost anything."

She thinks,for a second.

"What about...clothing?"

...

"E-Excuse me?"

She smiles.

"Sorry...I didn't mean to embarass you.I just wanted to see if you knew the color of my underwear...Just to prove that you're telling the truth.But you don't have to..."

I smile,nervously this time.

"Well...I never lie.I can tell you that much."

She nods.

"You haven't given me a reason to not to believe you."

"And I hope I never do."

"You mentioned you were sent here to earth from another planet.So...why are you here now?"

I guess this is the moment I've been waiting for...

"Truthfully...I'm here to fight for Truth,Justice,and The American Way.To defend those who cannot defend themselves.To stand up for the rights and to stand against the wrongs."

...

Did I just say what I THINK I said?

Well,at least now I know why I never became a writer...

She gives me a look,after one particular comment.

"...'And The American Way' ?"

I can see her point,actually...

"Well...Hope.Truth,Justice,And Hope."

She smirks.

"Better?"

"Better."

She looks up at me,after taking some notes.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

Am I seeing anyone?What does she mean by...

...

Oh...That.

"Dating anyone,I mean.

I notice she's turned off the tape recorder,for that question.She winks at me,once.

"Strictly off the record."

I smile.

"Well...No.Not at the moment.But if I ever do,You'll be the first to know."

She blushes again.I look over,noticing it's dark.I should get home...especially since I need to get some sleep for the flight to New York,tommorow morning.And she should,aswell.

"I hate to cut this interview short,but I need to be somewhere.I hope you don't mind,Ms.Lane."

She shakes her head.

"Not at all.You've given me enough.I probably shouldn't hog you from the rest of the world that long,anyway..."

I get up,and shake hands with her.

"I can make time for you,Lois."

She smiles again.She's smiled alot more than I've ever seen,tonight.Maybe I have that effect on her...or,the other way around.

"Well...goodnight,I guess.And thank you for this..."

"You're welcome,Ms.Lane.And goodnight."

I float upwards,towards the window.

"Pink,by the way."

She looks up at me.

"Excuse me?"

"The color of your underwear.It's pink."

I can see her smile one last time,as I fly out of the window.

Well...That was...nice,actually.Maybe I'm wrong about her.She's not as annoying or as much of a pain when she's around Superman.Now...if only she could act a little more like that around Clark Kent...

Either way,I think I'm starting to like her...

 

[Batman]

"Good day everyone. My name is Reed Richards, and this is Benjamin Grimm, Susan Storm, and Johnny Storm. As you all know we embarked on a mission to outer space in search of clues to help us understand D.N.A and genetics. We were hoping to find clues that would light our path to understanding exactly what route evolution takes in the restructing of our cellular structure. What we found might very well be exactly what we were looking for...in an indirect way. Our ship was hit by a still unknown form of cosmic radiation that drastically altered me and my crew. We are experiencing various symptoms, and are undergoing some changes"

"What kind of changes?" A reporter shouted out

"Are your symptoms contageous to normal people?" Another shouted right after.

"NO our symptoms are not contageous to others" Reed said "I have made sure of that...that is why we waited to go public with this. Some of our changes are apparent, some are not. In time you will see exactly what we can do..."

"What are you saying? Are you guys joining the crime fighting scene with all the other crazies that are popping up everywhere?" another reporter said

"Well it would be a shame to let these powers go to waste..." Reed said "It would be ignorant to have the ability to help others, and not do so"

"Well if you guys are going to be superheros, what are your superhero names?" a fourth reporter said

"Susan Richards is the Invisible Girl, her brother Johnny is the Human Torch, Benjamin Grimm is the Thing, and I am Mister Fantastic...a name I had no hand in selecting I assure you" Reed said

"You were already a famous scientist before all this Reed, mainly based on all your inventions, but now, with this, and your new powers you guys are going to be everywhere...any chance you will be attending Mr. Queens party for the cream of the crop?" a journalist said

"We received an invitation from Mr. Queen this morning. Though we don't desire to be celebrities, me and my girlfriend Sue could use a romantic, peaceful, night out after all the current happenings" Reed replied "Are there anymore questions out there............?"

It's been hours since Lois conducted her interview with me...well...Superman,and she STILL can't focus on anything else.It was all she could talk about on the flight,the cab ride...you name it.

I think she's developing a little more than a professional intrest in hi-ME.

...

This duality situation can become confusing,at times...

That's when I realise I do have a question for this...Fantastic Four,or whatever they want to call themselves.

"Clark Kent,Daily Planet.It seems with the new trend in costumed heroes,they want to be as discreet as possible.None of them are even giving out their real names.So...What made you decide that you wanted to approach it differently?"

 

[Sparta*]

<Mister Fantasic>

"First and foremost we are scientists Mr. Kent. What happened to us was unexpected, but I hope to learn many things from it, and ultimatley help mankind better understand genetics. Our prime concern is understanding our mutations, but since we have these powers, we feel obliged to help prevent injustice in whatever ways we can. We are not vigilantes, we are only here to help others in peril...that is why we chose to come forth with this to the public...we have nothing to conceal from others. I don't understand what most of these heros are hiding from...if they are doing good, and helping people, why must they keep their identity a secret, wouldn't you agree Mr. Kent? I find it rather absurd to be honest" Reed replied

 

[Batman]

<Mister Fantasic>

"First and foremost we are scientists Mr. Kent. What happened to us was unexpected, but I hope to learn many things from it, and ultimatley help mankind better understand genetics. Our prime concern is understanding our mutations, but since we have these powers, we feel obliged to help prevent injustice in whatever ways we can. We are not vigilantes, we are only here to help others in peril...that is why we chose to come forth with this to the public...we have nothing to conceal from others. I don't understand what most of these heros are hiding from...if they are doing good, and helping people, why must they keep their identity a secret, wouldn't you agree Mr. Kent? I find it rather absurd to be honest" Reed replied

I understand where he's coming from...but...not everyone is in the same situation as him and his team.

I have family...friends,that I want to keep safe.I'd be devastated if Ma or Pa,or even someone like Lana Lang,Jimmy Olsen,Perry White,or Lois was put in danger just because of who I am,and what I can do.

"I...wouldn't know."

Truthfully...Now that I think about it,I don't have many enemies yet.And neither do they.But...I'm sure there are people in the world who don't like what we 'costumed heroes' are doing,even if it's for the good of mankind.Lex Luthor didn't seem to be a fan of me,after all...

Personally,though...I think it's good that they're set on using their abilities to help people,rather than themselves.It shows a level of responsibility.

Even if I don't nessacarily agree with their policy on privacy...

Lois looks at me,after a minute,as more reporters start trying to ask questions.

"Smooth one,Smallville."

I look back at her.

"Well,Lois...You didn't seem to have the urge to ask anything."

"I was going to."

"I'm sure you were,if you weren't too busy thinking about Superman..."

"What's THAT supposed to-"

"Any others?"

Lois finally looks up at them.

"Lois Lane,Daily Planet.You say that you're planning to use your powers for the benefit of others.But what I want to know is...Since you are scientists,Are you planning to cure yourselves of them,any time in the future?Or are they permanent?"

I've often wondered what my life would be like,If I were rid of my abilites...

While I believe I have a responsiblity to use my abilities for the benefit of others,I have found myself yearning for a life of normalcy.And these people were actually born without powers.

Do they actually want to be like me?Have I been taking my lifestyle for granted?

 

[LibrarianThorne]

IC: Green Arrow

What in God's Name have I gotten myself into? wondered Olliver Queen. The armored car took a sharp left, throwing him around. It'd been stolen, mere moments ago, by some of the Crips who'd waltzed out of custody two nights ago. He didn't know what they'd need the millions in the truck for, but you didn't need a great imagination to guess. Drugs and guns aren't cheap, after all.

He dragged himself forward, trying to find purchase for his feet, which flailed uselessly behind him. He'd lost his hat somewere around third street and Knox, and his blonde hair was blowing wildly against the wind. He'd been to late to save the guards, guys just doing their jobs. Murder, these thugs couldn't walk away from, and Green Arrow was going to make sure they saw trial.

Things had deteriorated quickly after he'd latched onto the truck. The gangbangers, recognizing him, had floored it, and it was all he could do to hold on. He'd held on for five minutes, the truck speeding around corners and ignoring all the lights, but no police cars had yet gone into pursuit. Probably paid off by these punks, he thought. Time to end this.

Achingly, he reached over and pulled with all hsi might, bringing him to the roof of the cab. Another fast left turn threw him off, but he just managed to grab the edge of the roof on the passengers' side. He dangled, grasping the cold metal, and looked in. The thugs couldn't be older than twenty. He'd feel bad about it later. One of them reached for a gun, reaching into the depths of his hoodie. Reacting quickly, Green Arrow smashed the window, thankful for the long leather gloves he wore. He grabbed the gun out of the boy's hand, and tossed it onto the street. With a yell, he reached in again, grabbing the boy's hoodie and dragging him out of the cab, throwing him onto the street as his friend continued to drive manically. He fumbled with the door controls, trying to find the handle to open it when the punk driving noticed him. He slammed the wheel to the right, throwing the side of the truck, and Ollie's body, into a brick wall.

"NYYYYYAAAAAAAARGGHHH!" Ollie screamed. Were it not for the leather of his outfit, he'd be badly hurt. Well, worse than he was. They reached an intersection, and Arrow used the moment of relief to drag himself in through the broken window. On his hands on knees in the seat in the cab, he reached out for the driver's head and grasped a headful of hair. He slammed the punk's face into the steering wheel, stunning him, then threw his head with such force against the window on the driver's side that the glass cracked. The boy slumped back in his seat, unconscious. Ollie managed to move the boy's foot off the gas pedal and the truck gradually came to a stop.

Only then did he take a moment's rest, slumping back in the passenger's seat. His back was a mass of pain, he didn't want to think about how bad the damage really was. He fished around in his belt, trying to find the remote that would summon his car. He'd pondered calling it the Arrowcar, but dismissed that as far too lame. The remote felt odd, light. Confused, Ollie looked down in his hand. There, in pieces, was his remote. Trashed when I was thrown against the wall. Damnation.

He stepped out of the cab, painfully. It would be a long walk back to his mansion.

 

[The Question]

I understand where he's coming from...but...not everyone is in the same situation as him and his team.

I have family...friends,that I want to keep safe.I'd be devastated if Ma or Pa,or even someone like Lana Lang,Jimmy Olsen,Perry White,or Lois was put in danger just because of who I am,and what I can do.

"I...wouldn't know."

Truthfully...Now that I think about it,I don't have many enemies yet.And neither do they.But...I'm sure there are people in the world who don't like what we 'costumed heroes' are doing,even if it's for the good of mankind.Lex Luthor didn't seem to be a fan of me,after all...

Personally,though...I think it's good that they're set on using their abilities to help people,rather than themselves.It shows a level of responsibility.

Even if I don't nessacarily agree with their policy on privacy...

Lois looks at me,after a minute,as more reporters start trying to ask questions.

"Smooth one,Smallville."

I look back at her.

"Well,Lois...You didn't seem to have the urge to ask anything."

"I was going to."

"I'm sure you were,if you weren't too busy thinking about Superman..."

"What's THAT supposed to-"

"Any others?"

Lois finally looks up at them.

"Lois Lane,Daily Planet.You say that you're planning to use your powers for the benefit of others.But what I want to know is...Since you are scientists,Are you planning to cure yourselves of them,any time in the future?Or are they permanent?"

I've often wondered what my life would be like,If I were rid of my abilites...

While I believe I have a responsiblity to use my abilities for the benefit of others,I have found myself yearning for a life of normalcy.And these people were actually born without powers.

Do they actually want to be like me?Have I been taking my lifestyle for granted?

I take some pictures of the four guys on stage while the reporters ask questions. I must ask, am I the only one who finds this mildly rediculous? I mean, come on. Mr. Fantastic? It sounds like a name a five year old would come up with. I lean over to Mr. Urich.

"So, Ben, what're you going to ask Fantastic's four? How soon their brand of cereal is going to come out?"

"Don't worry. I'm not going to let them off that easy."

 

[MaskedManJRK]

IC: Batman

After the conference, I went back to Wayne Manor. I got on the computer in my father's study and started searching news articles.

Last night, I encountered a thug who seemed to be scared out of his mind. Most of his talk was incoherient babble, but I was able to get a name out of him. "Scarecrow."

"Scarecrow." Mighty flamboyant name for a regular joe criminal. This is probably someone who wants to be fameous, willing to do anything to be considered a powerful "super-villian."

After searching a few pages, I found an article:

GOTHAM UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR FIRED
Nutty Professor Fired a Gun in Class
By Lois Lane

The quiet, studious halls of Gotham University became very loud when Dr. Johnathan Crane, Psychology professior of the esteemed college, shot a firearm near the student's heads in class.
According to his students, their professor was always a very eccentric and potentially disturbed man. His class was mostly focused on fears and phobias.
This was not all that Crane did to his students. According to one of Crane's students, who wish to be anymous, the doctor would point all forms of knifes at the students' faces, and even lock them into closets with no food or light.
The Psychology Department have reportedly already fired Crane and have a replacement ready.

***

Johnathan Crane. I check further in his background, found that he graduated at GU only a couple of years ago, with his doctorate in Psychology, with a minor in Chemistry. I find his adress in the Yellow Page and place them into a compartment in my belt.

Tonight, the "good doctor" is going to be visited by The Batman.

Crane's apartment is just a few blocks away from Gotham University in the downtown area. I get out of the car and walk to the building.

I look at the directory outside of the building and find Crane's name. It says the 14th. story. I look up and I can barely SEE the fourteeth floor. I could open the door, but that could sound an alarm and get unwanted attention by the police.

I REALLY didn't think this through.

***

After about a half-hour of climbing up one of the drainage pipes, I finally make it to the 14th. floor.

Note to self: Next time, bring rope. LOTS of rope.

With a edge of a Batarang to the lock, I enter through the window and into the apartment. Either college professors don't get much in their salarys, or Crane spent most of his cash on books.

There's layers of dust all over the place. Again, either he's a very messy individual, or he hasn't been here for days. My only clue is a map with a penned circle around the werehouse district, where I found the man last night. Guess I'm going back.

I was about to drop down when I realized that it's now a very long way down.

This'll take a while.

***

A few hours later I'm back at the Werehouse district. I would have gotten there sooner, but I had to stop a few robberies (one in particular got my attention--a costume shop, the clerk brutally murdered, and all that was stolen was a purple suit and a silver of lipstick--must investigate further) along the way.

I searched through werehouse after werehouse, scowering every inch of their dirty interiors. Werehouse after werehouse, I found nothing.

Then, I found the motherload. Werehouse #666. The irony almost causes me to laugh. I go up to the top and gazed into them from the skylight.

I see a strange figure inside, near a table stacked with chemicals. He wears a strange outfit (ironic coming from me, but still), red and green, with yellow straw hanging all over it, with a hard fabric mask obscuring his face. He looks like a giant--

Scarecrow. Johnathan Crane. A psyciatrist turned psychotic. I found him.

I was about to burst in, Batarangs' blazing, when I realize...I'm not prepared for this. If my brick-climbing expierence at Crane's apartment proved anything, it's that I don't have all the tools yet to go up with something bigger than regular muggers.

Perhaps tomorrow will be a trip to the Applied Science division of Wayne Enterprises...

I look back down to Crane, concocting God knows what, grinning under his mask. I can't help but growl under my breath.

"See you later, Crane..."

 

[twylight]

I slipped through the door softly, careful to not wake Holly up is she&#8217;d fallen asleep. It was late&#8230;almost 2 in the morning.
I&#8217;d called in a few favors and the box in my arms was full of fun stuff.
I shut the door quietly and made my way to my room. Peeking into Holly&#8217;s as I went.
She was asleep on her bed, her form twisted in ways only someone young or very limber would be able to sleep like.
I smiled looking at her soft profile. She was like my younger sister, she was the only family I had and I had promised myself sometime ago to make sure nothing ever happened to her.

In my room I set the box on my bed and pull out my goodies.
Once I got started I couldn&#8217;t stop. I&#8217;d picked up some very sharp &#8216;claws&#8217;, and fabric that would work for a mask.

Grabbing a pair of scissors, and the thread and needle I&#8217;d bought I got to work.


&#8220;Selina?&#8221;

Someone was shaking my shoulder&#8230;

&#8220;Selina, wake up..&#8221;

The shaking got harder&#8230;

&#8220;Selin&#8230;&#8221;

The shaking stopped when I jumped up from my position on the bed. I&#8217;d fallen asleep sitting upright against my headboard.
&#8220;Sorry, Holly I didn&#8217;t mean to scare you." I say when I see her jump back.

&#8220;Jeez, Selina! What&#8217;s up with that.&#8221; Her finger points to my head.

I think for a second, I don&#8217;t remember falling asleep, my mind still felt hazy.
I remember now, I touch my hand to my face, feeling the mask I&#8217;d put on earlier last night. Or was it this morning. I look at the clock; it reads 10:35 am.

&#8220;Like it? It&#8217;s my mask.&#8221; I slowly slide off the bed, my back aches from my sleeping position.

&#8220;It&#8217;s more like a cowl..&#8221; She says as I glance at myself in the mirror.
It was the same purple color of my cat suit, and it went down and around my neck to be attached to my outfit. I&#8217;d left a hole in the back for my hair to come out of.

&#8220;I suppose.&#8221; I pull it off.
&#8220;I&#8217;m not done yet.&#8221; I wink at her before taking a seat on the bed and gathering the costume towards me.

&#8220;Wait till I&#8217;m done.&#8221;

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


Holly sat watching late night sitcom by the time I was done.

I slipped the complete outfit on and walked into the living room.

&#8220;Well, does it catch all my feminine qualities?&#8221; I asked turning lightly on the tips of my toes.

Holly&#8217;s mouth dropped.

&#8220;Wow, Selina!&#8221;

&#8220;Time for this cat to have a night on the town. Don&#8217;t wait up.&#8221; I winked.

I was done, it was absolute perfection. I smiled my body itching for action. I leapt for the window and landed lightly on the fire escape. Before looping myself around it and climbing up.

I stood on the top of the roof, my hand on my hip and the whip clasp in my other one.

&#8220;Time for some play time.&#8221;

I&#8217;d scouted out a house towards the higher classes of Gotham some time ago. Tonight seemed to be the perfect time to make a withdraw of the diamond kind.

I ran across the rooftops leaping from one to another lightly, stopping when I came to a large gap.
I tilted my head and smiled uncoiling my whip.

&#8220;Well, looks like yet again you&#8217;re doing humanity a favor.&#8221; I whispered as I flicked my wrist, the whip lashed out and gripped onto an antenna. Pulling to test the strength I ran and swung across the gab landing lightly on the other roof.
Flicking my hand again the whip released and I coiled it again. A pleased smile formed on my lips.

With my new found ability making it the rest of the way was nothing.
I stopped and surveyed the townhouse before making my way to a window.
I glanced around, my eyes taking in the security system, or lack of it, and making sure the room I was entering was empty.
I held my hand up and flicked my fingers as if getting rid of water. From the tips of my gloves emerged claws. I&#8217;d fixed them into my gloves during my costume renovation.
I place them on the window and turn&#8230;once..twice&#8230;all silently, till I feel the glass give way. Clasping the glass circle I put it down silently on the room and reach in flicking the window latch.

This guy was one of my previous john&#8217;s and I&#8217;d kept him for a special night. Slipping through the window I made my way to the dresser.
Carefully, opening the jewelry box I studied the inside. Diamonds, earrings, rings, all of them lay neatly in their velvet places.
I slimed and slide my finger along the edge looking foe a seam, finding it I pulled the bottom off, and gazed at the large diamond necklace laying in the false bottom.

Picking it up I entwined it in my hand, the diamonds sparkling in the limited light.
I placed it in a small messenger bag I was carrying and replaced everything the way it was before slipping out the window.

Too easy&#8230;I slipped back onto the roof.

BARK! BARK! BARK!

The air hissed between my teeth. The neighbors had dogs&#8230;
I jumped off the side of the building and onto the ground. And smirked at the dogs behind the fence.

&#8220;Poor poochies..&#8221;

&#8220;Who&#8217;s there?&#8221;

I spun around at the voice, only to see a large man standing on the stoop of the neighboring Townhouse. He was dressed in a suit and tie.

I could tell his hand was going for his cell phone.

&#8220;Who are you? What do you want?&#8221;

I smile, this was more like it, I flip over to him and run my hand over his body and up his arm. Plucking the cell phone from his hand.

&#8220;I want you&#8230;to keep me a secret.&#8221; I purred, bringing my leg up his and into a male&#8217;s most sensitive area, and watched as his face relaxed in pleasure. I touched his face with my claws gently caressing it while I pressed my body to his.

&#8220;Who&#8230;who are you..&#8221; He asks.

I&#8217;m silent for a moment before bringing my lips to his ear and whisper.

&#8220;I&#8217;m Catwoman.&#8221;

Digging my claws into his cheek I scratch him and back flip away, looping my whip around a flagpole I swing into the night.

 

[Sparta*]

I understand where he's coming from...but...not everyone is in the same situation as him and his team.

I have family...friends,that I want to keep safe.I'd be devastated if Ma or Pa,or even someone like Lana Lang,Jimmy Olsen,Perry White,or Lois was put in danger just because of who I am,and what I can do.

"I...wouldn't know."

Truthfully...Now that I think about it,I don't have many enemies yet.And neither do they.But...I'm sure there are people in the world who don't like what we 'costumed heroes' are doing,even if it's for the good of mankind.Lex Luthor didn't seem to be a fan of me,after all...

Personally,though...I think it's good that they're set on using their abilities to help people,rather than themselves.It shows a level of responsibility.

Even if I don't nessacarily agree with their policy on privacy...

Lois looks at me,after a minute,as more reporters start trying to ask questions.

"Smooth one,Smallville."

I look back at her.

"Well,Lois...You didn't seem to have the urge to ask anything."

"I was going to."

"I'm sure you were,if you weren't too busy thinking about Superman..."

"What's THAT supposed to-"

"Any others?"

Lois finally looks up at them.

"Lois Lane,Daily Planet.You say that you're planning to use your powers for the benefit of others.But what I want to know is...Since you are scientists,Are you planning to cure yourselves of them,any time in the future?Or are they permanent?"

I've often wondered what my life would be like,If I were rid of my abilites...

While I believe I have a responsiblity to use my abilities for the benefit of others,I have found myself yearning for a life of normalcy.And these people were actually born without powers.

Do they actually want to be like me?Have I been taking my lifestyle for granted?

<Mister Fantastic>

"That is a good question Ms. Lane. I will be working on a formula to reverse our mutations. It will take time to test it and perfect it, but it will be necessary to have in case our powers evolve in an unpleasant way in the future. Each member of this team has a choice before them...they can be normal again when I find an antidote to our mutations, or they can keep their powers and use them for the good of mankind. I guess what i'm trying to say Ms. Lane is...well, only time can tell what the future has in store for us..." Reed responded

Ben lowered his head...and thought about Reed's words...

"Are there anymore questions...? If not, Susan and I have a gala to prepare for........." Reed said, awaiting any more potential questions anyone might have...if there was one quality Reed possessed, it was patience.

 

[The Question]

Ben raises his hand.

"Ben Urich, Daily Bugle. I've got a few querstions. First of all, Dr. Richards, how exactly do you plan on going about using your powers to help others? Helping out during natural disasters? Saving little old ladies from burning buildings? Going in fists first whenever some teenage kid snaps and decides to threaten his school with a bomb? Have you actually thought this out? And, that being said, have you even stoped to consider how locallaw inforcement might react to any future actions on your part? Or federal law enforcement? Aren't you in the least bit worried how the feds will react to anything you do to 'help others'? And if they react in a way that's bad for you, how do you plan to deal with them?"



I lean in close to Ben.

"I guess you were really serious when you said you weren't going to let them off the hook thgat easy."

 

[Sparta*]

Ben raises his hand.

"Ben Urich, Daily Bugle. I've got a few querstions. First of all, Dr. Richards, how exactly do you plan on going about using your powers to help others? Helping out during natural disasters? Saving little old ladies from burning buildings? Going in fists first whenever some teenage kid snaps and decides to threaten his school with a bomb? Have you actually thought this out? And, that being said, have you even stoped to consider how locallaw inforcement might react to any future actions on your part? Or federal law enforcement? Aren't you in the least bit worried how the feds will react to anything you do to 'help others'? And if they react in a way that's bad for you, how do you plan to deal with them?"



I lean in close to Ben.

"I guess you were really serious when you said you weren't going to let them off the hook thgat easy."

<Mister Fantastic>

"Thank you for the questions Mr. Urich. Me and my team don't plan on going out looking for crimes to foil...like I said to Mr. Kent earlier, we are first and foremost scientists and that will be our main priority. If a threat arises that we are suited to handle better then others we will definatley do our best to aid in whatever way we can. I also mentioned earlier that we aren't vigilantes...we plan on co-operating with local and federal law enforcement, not acting against them...or on our own from them...that is why we came forth with our identities and abilities...we have nothing to hide from anyone, and we will do nothing unwarranted or illegal" Reed said in a firm tone

"If you should be worried about anyone, why not worry about the people who hide behind masks and take justice into their own hands, like this Spider-man, and Bat-man i've been reading so much about" Reed said. Everyone laughed except Mr. Urich and his skinny sidekick with the glasses.

"If there are no more questions, we will be taking our leave..." Reed said, giving everyone a last chance to ask questions

 

[Sentry2005]

<Mister Fantastic>

"Thank you for the questions Mr. Urich. Me and my team don't plan on going out looking for crimes to foil...like I said to Mr. Kent earlier, we are first and foremost scientists and that will be our main priority. If a threat arises that we are suited to handle better then others we will definatley do our best to aid in whatever way we can. I also mentioned earlier that we aren't vigilantes...we plan on co-operating with local and federal law enforcement, not acting against them...or on our own from them...that is why we came forth with our identities and abilities...we have nothing to hide from anyone, and we will do nothing unwarranted or illegal" Reed said in a firm tone

"If you should be worried about anyone, why not worry about the people who hide behind masks and take justice into their own hands, like this Spider-man, and Bat-man i've been reading so much about" Reed said. Everyone laughed except Mr. Urich and his skinny sidekick with the glasses.

"If there are no more questions, we will be taking our leave..." Reed said, giving everyone a last chance to ask questions

<IRON MAN>

I turn the t.v. off.

Reed Richards.

Haven't seen him since the old days.

Smart guy.

Hot little girlfriend.

Not a patch on my Dinah of course, but still...

Hot.

He's going to the Bash tonight.

I don't know wether to take the armour or not.

It WOULD show up Queen.

Which is ALWAYS fun.

I could introduce the world to my 'Body Guard'.

Or I could leave it here.

Decisions.

I'll probably wear the chest plate under my shirt. It's thin enough to avoid detection, plus I can summon the rest of the armour if I leave it within the range of the system.

Won't have to worry about the metal detectors. The same way this armour is magnetic resistant is the reason it won't be detected no conventional metal detectors.

It's decided. I'll take the armour.

I have to get ready now though.

I'm meeting Dinah there, so that will give me some time to hide the armour. Happy is the driver tonight, so I think i can convince him to park around the block.

This is going to be SO much fun.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Batman

I get some pictures from the little spy camera in my belt (I think of a camera, but I couldn't think to bring rope, I think to myself, mentally kicking myself yet again) and take a few pictures of the area.

The last thing I do before I get back to the Manor is a pretty dangerous one: I have to sneak into GCPD Headquarters and put the evidence I have on Crane there, so that they can track him when I can't.

Also, it would be nice to be able to do something without the police getting in my way. I'm not looking to be deputized, but getting their trust so they can look the other way would be very helpful.

But who?

James Gordon. The name pops into my head instantly. I've heard the rumors of the corrupt police force here in Gotham, but I KNOW that he's not one of them.

I go through the fire-escape, enter into his office, thanking every diety I can think of that he's not there, and I put a big yellow envelope on his desk, with my note on top:

Detective,

Inside are photographs and evidence of one Johnathan Crane. He's putting on a flamboyant costume, calling himself "The Scarecrow," and starting a small crime mob, seemingly scaring thugs into his command. Inside are where he's currently holding himself in. Hopefully, your men can keep tabs on him, before he does something to harm anyone else.

You might think I'm acting against the law. You are mistaken. I am only helping enforcing it by scaring those who aim to break the law in ways that a badge can no longer. Hopefully, we can work together so that this city can become cleaner.

The Batman

I get out of the building before anyone can walk in.

***

The next morning, I wake up to Alfred serving breakfast on a plate to me.

"Thanks," I mumble to him, trying to wake up.

"Good morning, Master Bruce. Just so you know, you had a phone call while you were 'hibernating until night falls.' Oliver Queen has invited you to a party in Star City this evening. If you rush some, you could make it there in a fashionable hour."

"Not interested," I say, voice losing some grit after I get some coffee in me. Though he barely even furrowed his eyebrows, I knew Alfred was fustrated.

"I seem to not be able to get to you on a manner of a respectable human being, so I'll give you a reason that'll appeal to your...duel idenities. Frankly, sir, you're rich, handsome, and in a high-public position. If there's one thing people cannot stand about their celebrities, it is any mystery about them. If you don't have a public night-life, people will start investigating, and they WILL find out about your pointy-eared persona."

I just sit there silently, letting Alfred's words fill the room. He had me.

"I thought that would work. I took the liberty to order a plane ticket for Star City at 3 PM today, so you'll about three hours to get there, which means I would hurry.

"Don't worry, Master Bruce. Who knows? If you pretend enough to have fun...you might have some by accident." He goes out of the room and closes the door.

Looks like I got a party to go to...

 

[MaskedManJRK]

IC: Doctor Octopus

A man in jeans and a wife-beater I reconize as my father punches me across the room...

A pimply-faced teenager in a letter jacket throws me into the mud-puddle outside of the school, both him, his followers, and everyone else near laughed...

A large black man in jeans and a T-shirt shakes my hand in our college dorm. His name is John Henry Irons, he turns out to be the only friend I ever had...

A brick-wall of a general shakes both of our hands. We got a military contract...

We create "The Octopus." It's a machine made of what we called "Iron's Metal," a metaloid that can withstand any harm and will increase the strength of the wearer. It is only four tenticles on a harness so far, but it is marvelous. Without John's knowledge, I install artificial nerves into the spinal section of the harness. I will feel what the warm machine can feel...

It's D-Day. I stand next to a two-feet thick mirror, with even thicker walls surrounding it, the only holes being where I placed the tenticles into. Inside the room is the closest thing man has come to the pure genetic material, dipped in radiation. The tenticles touch the concoction, and I can feel the warmth of it burn through my very core.

Life at its most pure burns through me. Life, and so much more...

Then it goes wrong. The machines that John are opperating beep violently. He screams out something about the containment not being stable enough when...

Blackness. I wonder in the void, am I dead? How can I? I am still computing, am I not? Then I hear it. A voice. For a fleeting, foolish moment, I believe it to be God, but it is not. It is something far, far more potent, more real...

Science...

I wake up in a hospital, half-delirious from what had happened, I broke out of there, killing everyone in my way. Eventually, I was brought down by an individual in blue and red tights: Spiderman.

Spiderman...

The mortal has...confounded me the past few weeks since I was taken to the prison. He has never been far from my thoughts. I believe now that this is the being that Michaelangelo mapped out in his painting all those centaries yore. He could be the first of the many of the new revolution...

"Octavious."

The blunt word derails me from my dreaming ponderings. I turn to see Sargent Talbot, the man in charge of this prison--pardon me--"holding facility." My arms move across the solid steel-reinforced plastic cage they placed me in.

"Sargent, to what I owe you the pleasure?"

"Oh, I'm here to tell you you're going to be very soon be taken out of my hands." My metallic arms place their pincers on the floor, raising me a bit higher.

"Please do not leave me in suspence. Whatever do you mean?" I play the possem, letting him think I'm dying for his approval, lure him into my trap...

"We've decided that you're a bit too dangerous down here on Earth, so you'll be moved onto the SHIELD Triskellion, where you'll have no chance in Hell escaping from." I hum silently to myself, my flesh and metal arms softly swaying. "What are you doing?"

"Are you a fan of classical music, Sargent? Even if you are not, you would surely reconize at the very least the name of my personal favorite composer: Beethoven. I have commited many of his symphonies into my mind, and I am currently playing one of my favorites, the Fifth." All six of my arms start going wider in their swaying.

"It is actually an amusing role reversal--usually it is the jester that performs to their superior..." My top right tenticle subtlely tightens, ready to strike. "You might like the Fifth, it is quite action-packed. It goes something like this: Da da da-da da da-da--DA!"

I strike. The top right tenticle does as I planned, breaking through the feeble cage they dared to put me in, and went straight through Talbot's torso. He gurgles for a beat and then is ripped away.

"Music has the ability to impact you, right into your soul, does it not?"

I easily break through the rest of my cage and out of the room. Alarms blare, knowing of their sins and not caring. Paper doll-like guards try to combat me at every turn, and I simply walk by them, the metal arms ripping through them like ribbons.

I break through the building, pushing the guards blocking the door. I hear in a wheezing gasp from one of the injured guards below.

"Jesus Christ..."

I put a tenticle to the guards head, starting to squeeze. Before I crush his skull, I answer his prayer.

"No, I am not. But I am very close."

I am Otto Octavius. Son of the Atom, Prophet to this new Genetic Revolution.

And they will all hear and heed my words, or they will all die...

 

[LibrarianThorne]

IC: Green Arrow

His back was still raw from last night. It'd be worse if he didn't have those Tibetan herbs. Miracle working things they were, enough to put him in good enough condition he could actually go to work without screaming in pain.

He mulled over another R&D request. Four hundred million dollars for some device he really couldn't care less about. The party was tonight, and Diana was supposed to call. Dinner before the party, he thought. Crazy who thinks she's a princess or no, she was like some greek statue brought to life. He'd never seen anyone more beautfiul in his life, and he'd seen quite a lot of beautiful people. She had an air of dignity and grace about her that he'd never seen before in such a beautiful woman. There was something more there, he knew, and he had to find out.

At least, before he could show up Stark and Wayne. Queen Inudstries may not be the biggest international conglomerate on the block, but he would be damned before it wouldn't be the most stylish.

 

[Watchman]

Scarecrow sits at his desk mixing various chemicals when suddenly a noise from up above snaps him out of his work. He looks up and sees nothing. It could have been a rat or pieces of the celling but Scarecrow knew what it was, a bat. Lenny must have rated on their location. Scarecrow bursts through a door to a room where all his men are.

"We start tomorrow" he tells them

"Boss when been working for you for days and we still don't know what the plan is"

"Well then, these machines that I have been building are designed to store large amounts of the toxin that I have developed. After I pressed this button" he held up what look like a garage door opener, "they open and release the gas".

"So what does this have to do with the plan?"

"All of you will place them around Gotham then we will send out a message informing the citizens and hold it for ransom for two billion dollars" There was nods of agreement. Scarecrow continued, "Tomorrow some of you will set the first batch of the bombs I want no mistakes" he grinned underneath the masks and went back to work. Of course he was going to take all the money and pressed the button anyway. His greatest reward was going to be how Gotham will be after it is under the grip of fear.

 

[Red]

<Bruce Banner>

I look down at my reflection in the murky puddle. I was myself again but where am I? I look around the empty docks, nothing but rusted crates. The wind blew a tattered newspaper to my bare leg.

Snatching it from around leg, the main headline read “Queen’s party for the ages” I started to read though the article. “ Star Cities very own billionaire Oliver Queen is sparing not expence for his party.”

“Star City, that clears up where I am”.

I continued to read. “Those comfirmed are Billionaire Playboy Bruce Wayne, industrialist Tony Stark…”

I search the paper for the date, it was from two days ago which means the party is tonight. “I don’t want to burden Tony with my cruse but I need a friend right now” I thought to myself.

 

[Midnight Ice]

World War II
Germany


The Bullets flew past me at the hundreds, but none of them could touch me, not with my reflexes and my shield. I have lost many friends in this war, too many. Too many good men. Thats why I am going to end it.

I hear a bomb go off nearby and it nearly deafens me as I leap over a fox hole with enemy soldiers inside. I also drop a grenade in there. I hear the explosion a couple seconds later....poor boys, too bad they are on the wrong side.

I work my way through the dozens of soldiers that are lining up to stop me from reaching my goal. They never knew what hit them.

Finally I make my way to the tent I have been running for. I use my shield to cut inside from the back and quickly dispose of the two guards. All that is left is me and him. He cowers before me. He should. The leader of this horrible army has aways feared the 'Red, White and Blue'. Thats why he targeted us. Well, now its over. The last thing he saw was a star coming at him, and he knew...he knew that freedom had won.

Who am I??

I'm Captain America!

 

[Sparta*]

<Mister Fantastic>

"Any last questions?" Reed said to the massive crowd gathered before him

"Abigail Foster, New York Times. Is it true you and the lovely Ms. Storm will by tying the knot soon?"

"Wha-what? umm....I didn't....." Reed stumbled for his words...something that happened only when he was talking about his lovelife. Susan stepped forward.

"Reed and I are in love...and for now until all this confusion gets worked out, that is enough" Sue said

"Fair enough. What about the rumours that have been going around about Lex Luthor from Lexcorp offering Reed a very prominent position within his company?" The reporter added

"Those are true Ms. Foster. Mr. Luthor did in fact offer me a position as head of the medical sciences division of Lexcorp. He must have heard about my breakthroughs in that field. None the less, I find myself obligated to my team...and the promises I've made them" he quickly glances over to Ben "So I had to reject his offer...at least for now" Reed said "Thank you very much for your time ladies and gentlemen...no further questions"

Suddenly something in the distance quickly approached the crowd...

"What the hell is that?" Johnny replied...but before anyone could answer it was upon them. A giant metal robot, as huge as the baxter building landed before them.

"What a revoltin' development" Thing said

"Everyone get out of here" Reed shouted "Looks like the Fantastic Four have found their first job"

"PRIMARY TARGET LOCATED...APPREHEND REED RICHARDS..."

 

[rex26]

Godfrey cocked an eyebrow. He'd never heard that one before. Still, he ran through the possibilities in his mind. Darkseid would frown on an intrusion, and had planned on contacting Magneto later. However, Godfrey also knew this alliance was key to Darkseid's machinations. He smiled. confidently, thoughts still racing in his head.

"Of course you may see Darkseid (May the stars bow to him for eternity), but I'm afraid you'll have to sing the contract first. My lord is a real stickler about this."

Magnus only pondered the idea for a moment.

Sing?

His mood was lighthearted, so this did not seem to be too big of a problem.

"Let it be known that the Master of Magnetism has the voice of an angel," he smiled, "Let me see the parchment."

 

[Keyser Soze]

Lex Luthor: King of Metropolis. Luthor smiled at the recollection of the headline. It had been many years now since the Daily Planet had published it in big, bold letters on their front page, but Luthor still remembered how he’d felt when he saw it. He had thought to himself, I’ve finally done it, now I can die happy.

Well, that’s what he’d thought for all of five minutes.

The thing that Lex Luthor soon learned about success was that you could never have enough of it. It was like a drug – you always needed more. And after that first high, what you did get was never quite enough. Yes, he was King of Metropolis. But why settle for that? Why rule a city, when you could take control of America, conquer the world? Until the day he had done that, climbed to the very pinnacle of human achievement, the highest peak of success and power, Lex Luthor could never again say that, finally, he had “done it”, that he could “die happy”.

But for now, he was King of Metropolis. He stood in his office on the top floor of Lexcorp Towers, looking out the full-length window, down at his kingdom. He had spent many silent hours standing at this spot, just watching. He loved the sense of power he felt, looking down on this great city, knowing that nobody else could see its glory better than him. Every time he looked out this window, he had been able to remind himself that he was the most powerful man in the world. Not anymore.

“Superman….”

Lex Luthor fists clenched as he held them behind his back. As high above the ground as he was right now, Superman could fly higher. Lex Luthor could build all the state-of-the-art fighter planes he wanted: Superman didn’t even need them to fly through the air, to reach the heavens. Lex Luthor could indeed aspire to reach the pinnacle of human achievement, but Superman was more than human, more than Luthor could ever be…

No.

Luthor kept his thoughts in check. This was not about envy. What was there to be jealous about? Superman was stronger than any man, but in this modern age, that had little to do with true power. Power was being able to buy anything you wanted, limited only by how much you wanted it. Power was having a multi-national corporation named after you. Power was being able to commit any crime, break any law, and never be punished, or even questioned, because of your status, because you had 100 people waiting to take the fall for you. Power was what Lex Luthor had.

So no, this was not about envy. This was about Superman himself. The fact was that, despite what he called himself, he was not a man. He was not one of us. He was something else. Luthor had spoken the truth earlier. All it would take was a change of heart, and Superman would become the most dangerous threat Metropolis had ever faced. With his monumental, potentially terrifying power, Superman truly could conquer the world. Superman was part of a disturbing trend Luthor had noticed emerging in recent times. There was this mysterious “Bat-Man” in Gotham City, and a cascade of costumed vigilantes springing up in New York City. That was one of the motivating factors behind his merger with Fisk – he needed eyes in the Big Apple.

But even amongst all these “heroes”, the worst was Superman. He had the audacity, the gall, to appear in this very office and confront Lex Luthor!? Who did he think he was? Luthor recalled the anger he had felt, being questioned as if he was some little boy caught stealing from the cookie jar. But the fact was that Superman had no evidence to back up his accusations. Luthor had proved that, in spite of this freak’s so-called power, he was still no match for Lex Luthor.

But that did nothing to quell Luthor’s growing hatred for Superman. Luthor hated how Superman could just fall out of the sky, appear out of nowhere, and already be viewed as a saviour all over the world. Luthor had worked, fought, lied, cheated and stolen his whole life to get where he was today. He had climbed from the very bottom, risen through the ranks to become the man who he was today. He had no need for superpowers – he had earned his position. But this “Superman”, he’d had it all given to him on a silver platter! He had no intelligence, no ambition, not like Lex. All he needed to do was fly around and smash some things, and the people of Metropolis loved him. Metropolis belonged to Lex Luthor! How dare he try to dethrone the King of Metropolis?

How dare he!?

“Mr. Luthor, sir?”

The buzz from the intercom stirred Luthor from his meditation. Walking back to his desk, Luthor picked up the phone.

“Yes, Diane?”

“Mr. Luthor, you have received an invitation to a party, being hosted by Oliver Queen.”

Oliver Queen? Luthor almost laughed down the receiver. Queen was small-time; for him to even presume to invite Lex Luthor to one of his little shindigs was an insult. But Luthor reminded himself that Queen had been making a name for himself recently, and if he was throwing a party, odds were that the likes of Wilson Fisk and Bruce Wayne would be attending. Luthor needed to show face. It would be good for publicity.

“Diane, send notice to Mr. Queen that I would love to attend his party,” replied Luthor, “And have my Lear Jet prepared for departure to Star City.”

Luthor hung up the phone before Diane could reply. He paced across his office, walking back up to the window and looking out. Remembering what Superman had said, Lex Luthor looked up into the blue skies that even the peak of Lexcorp Towers could not reach. No sign of Superman. And that was where Superman was inferior to Luthor. As fast as he was, Superman could only be one place at once. But Luthor was everywhere, his influence felt all over the world. But most of all, Lex Luthor held power over Metropolis, this city…

“…My city.”