"One Universe" RPG thread.

[Johnny Blaze]

Surfer watched the battle rage on from his vantage point in the blackness of space just outside Oa. With his enhanced vision, Norrin Radd watched soundlessly as the Lanterns continued their futile effort to stop his master.

Inside, Norrin was torn. To continue to defend his master against the annoying insects pestering him...or to try and get Galactus to leave Oa. One way or another.

His decision was made for him quickly when his cosmic senses picked up something amiss aboard Galactus' worldship.

"It never ends...", breathed the Surfer to himself quietly.

Like a bolt of light, the Silver Surfer darted from his astral perch towards his master's ship, the Taa II.

Whoever the intruder was would be getting a rude awakening.

Faster than the naked eye could follow, Norrin Radd entered his master's ship and sought out the cause of the destruction. With the Power Cosmic at his side, the Surfer easily picked up on and followed the out of place energy signature that belonged to the intruder.

Coming up behind the interloper, the Surfer fired a blast of cosmic energy that hammered the villain in the back between the shoulder blades. Knocked to the ground, the intruder looked up to see the Herald floating before him, cosmic fire washing over his entire body.

"A foolish act indeed to attack Galactus' ship. If you sought to bring down the wrath of The Devourer upon you, you have succeeded", stated Norrin as his face hardened and eyes narrowed, "You no longer need concern yourself with the machines, Lantern, for now you face the power that is the Silver Surfer!"

 

[Andy C.]

(IC: Green Lantern/Sinestro)

Sinestro reeled as the gleaming figure of the Silver Surfer loomed over him. Purely by instinct, he fired from his ring, letting loose with a barrage of emerald saw-blades that whizzed towards Galactus' Herald.

The Korrugarian knew that his meager offense would barely harm the Surfer, but it would slow him down, giving him enough time to activate his trump card. Sinestro's ring flickered, apparently having no effect on the area around them.

"So, my shiny friend, they tell me that you never kill your opponents. Rather ironic, I'd think, considering that your master kills them by the billions. Still, it hardly matters, because I'm not exactly the rank-and-file like the other Lanterns you've beaten. It's time you find out why I'm the most feared Lantern in the Corps!"

With that, Sinestro fired another powerful blast from his ring, replicating a Thanagarian broad-spectrum laser. Again, barely a nuissance for the Silver Surfer, but it did allow Sinestro to make a break for it, tearing through the corridors of the world-ship, looking for his treasure.

If he were to stop the Surfer, and Galactus himself, he had to find it. He had to find the Ultimate Nullifier...

*****

On the surface of Oa, Hal Jordan and the dozen-odd other Lanterns around the Central Battery braced themselves. The battlefield had gone quiet, and the grim looks on the faces of his comerades told Hal only one thing...the rest of the Corps was likely dead.

For a moment, Jordan felt a stab of panic going through him, wondering what exactly this 'Galactus' was going to do to him. If all those other Lanterns were taken out of action that easily, then what chance do I have?

Then, he thought of home. If they weren't able to stop Galactus here, then what would keep him from doing the same to Earth? He thought of his friends back at the base, thought of Tom Malmaku. He thought of Carrol Ferris...

Jordan's trepidation gave way to newfound courage. Whatever happens here, I'm going to make damn sure it never happens anywhere else. We'll find a way to stop Galactus here.

Suddenly, the room resounded with a thunderous crash. The walls around him began to crumble. The other Lanterns' rings began to glow, ready for their imminent fight. It was time.

Galactus had come...

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The Silver Surfer threw up his hands as the emerald saw blades came rushing towards him.
The Surfer's body erupted in a blaze of cosmic energy engulfing the emerald weapons as the closed in for the kill. The Power Cosmic washed over the buzz saw blades, disintegrating them back into the nothingness from which they came.

"So, my shiny friend, they tell me that you never kill your opponents. Rather ironic, I'd think, considering that your master kills them by the billions. Still, it hardly matters, because I'm not exactly the rank-and-file like the other Lanterns you've beaten. It's time you find out why I'm the most feared Lantern in the Corps!"

Before Norrin could respond the Lantern created a large laser cannon with his ring and fired it at him. The blast caught the Surfer head on and sent him reeling backwards due to the force of the blow.
Still on his board, the Silver Surfer rose to his feet as smoke billowed from his silver undamaged form.
The attack did not harm Norrin, but it did provide the Lantern with the opportunity to escape.

"You are beginning to try my patience, Lantern", said Norrin as his features grew darker. An anger was welling up inside Norrin Radd. An anger built up from all of the guilt that has been held inside him since the day he agreed to be the Herald of Galactus. Guilt from all the worlds he has helped destroy. Guilt from his weakness, from his inability to follow his heart and defy his master.

And the focus of all this pent up rage was now directed against this arrogant Green Lantern.

Like a bolt of lightning, the Surfer took off once more after the supposed most feared Lantern in all the Corps.

Closing in on his foe, Norrin used the Power Cosmic to rearrange the molecular structure of the ceiling before the Lantern. The metallic ceiling began to melt into a liquid and pour over the Lantern bogging him down and covering him in a metallic ooze.

"It is time, Most-Feared-Lantern, for you to learn the true nature of the Power Cosmic", stated Norrin, guilt driven anger still building inside of him, as he came at the Lantern from behind, "and to discover the fate that awaits those who trespass on Galactus' ship."

 

[Andy C.]

The Silver Surfer threw up his hands as the emerald saw blades came rushing towards him.
The Surfer's body erupted in a blaze of cosmic energy engulfing the emerald weapons as the closed in for the kill. The Power Cosmic washed over the buzz saw blades, disintegrating them back into the nothingness from which they came.



Before Norrin could respond the Lantern created a large laser cannon with his ring and fired it at him. The blast caught the Surfer head on and sent him reeling backwards due to the force of the blow.
Still on his board, the Silver Surfer rose to his feet as smoke billowed from his silver undamaged form.
The attack did not harm Norrin, but it did provide the Lantern with the opportunity to escape.

"You are beginning to try my patience, Lantern", said Norrin as his features grew darker. An anger was welling up inside Norrin Radd. An anger built up from all of the guilt that has been held inside him since the day he agreed to be the Herald of Galactus. Guilt from all the worlds he has helped destroy. Guilt from his weakness, from his inability to follow his heart and defy his master.

And the focus of all this pent up rage was now directed against this arrogant Green Lantern.

Like a bolt of lightning, the Surfer took off once more after the supposed most feared Lantern in all the Corps.

Closing in on his foe, Norrin used the Power Cosmic to rearrange the molecular structure of the ceiling before the Lantern. The metallic ceiling began to melt into a liquid and pour over the Lantern bogging him down and covering him in a metallic ooze.

"It is time, Most-Feared-Lantern, for you to learn the true nature of the Power Cosmic", stated Norrin, guilt driven anger still building inside of him, as he came at the Lantern from behind, "and to discover the fate that awaits those who trespass on Galactus' ship."

The viscous metallic ooze that was once the ceiling of the Taa II began to constrict Sinestro, keeping him in place as the Silver Surfer challenged Sinestro. His words were supposed to convince him to surrender, to realize he couldn't win. All it was really doing was make him mad.

Sinestro fumed with anger, then realized the Surfer was feeling the same.

"I see you've got quite a temper on you, Surfer. I wonder, am I really that much of a nuissance to you? If that's the case, I suppose I can stand down. I mean, after all, I wouldn't want to stand in the way of utter genocide."

The Korrugarian smiled slyly, looked the Silver Surfer in the eye.

"You think that fancy cosmic ray of yours makes you better? You think I'm helpless for it? Think again; you're not the only one who can kill planets here."

Sinestro broke his gaze with the Surfer, regarding the emerald ring on his hand.

"These are rather amazing devices, don't you think? Any form of matter in the universe can be replicated or manipulated simply by the force of my will. Any piece of technology can be analyzed and replicated through the power of these rings. Anything at all, including, say...a New Genesis Mother Box?

"Before I picked this little fight of ours, I went to the Corps armory, and picked myself a rather amusing device: a Shi'ar Nega-Bomb. Using the Boom-Tube technology I had replicated with the ring, I teleported the bomb out of the armory, and into...well, who knows where?

He casually rose, using the ring to form a cutting-torch to remove the liquid-metal binding him.

"Maybe I put it in the heart of Kree space, and the resulting catastrophe could lead to another decades-long war with the Shi'ar. Maybe instead of starting a war, I decided to end one, putting it smack in between New Genesis and Apokolips, ready to bring a permanent 'cease-fire' to both worlds. Maybe it's a thousand other different places, ready to unleash destruction on an unprecented scale across untold stretches of space. Well, no matter where it is, only I have the detonator to it, and it's set to automatically go off should anything happen to that planet your master is so intent on gobbling up."

The pink-skinned Lantern's grin faded, and he looked grimly at the Herald of Galactus.

"Silver Surfer, now you see why I'm the most feared Green Lantern who ever lived. It is because I will do anything, and I do mean anything, to complete my objective. Mark my words: if Oa dies, then a million other worlds die with it. Surely even a being such as you has a conscience, right?"

As Sinestro concluded his speech, the ring's construct cut through enough of the metal ooze for him to break free. The Lantern sprung forward, creating a massive hammer with which he bashed in one of the Taa II's walls. With that, Sinestro continued his desparate gamble, searching for the ultimate weapon.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The viscous metallic ooze that was once the ceiling of the Taa II began to constrict Sinestro, keeping him in place as the Silver Surfer challenged Sinestro. His words were supposed to convince him to surrender, to realize he couldn't win. All it was really doing was make him mad.

Sinestro fumed with anger, then realized the Surfer was feeling the same.

"I see you've got quite a temper on you, Surfer. I wonder, am I really that much of a nuissance to you? If that's the case, I suppose I can stand down. I mean, after all, I wouldn't want to stand in the way of utter genocide."

The Korrugarian smiled slyly, looked the Silver Surfer in the eye.

"You think that fancy cosmic ray of yours makes you better? You think I'm helpless for it? Think again; you're not the only one who can kill planets here."

Sinestro broke his gaze with the Surfer, regarding the emerald ring on his hand.

"These are rather amazing devices, don't you think? Any form of matter in the universe can be replicated or manipulated simply by the force of my will. Any piece of technology can be analyzed and replicated through the power of these rings. Anything at all, including, say...a New Genesis Mother Box?

"Before I picked this little fight of ours, I went to the Corps armory, and picked myself a rather amusing device: a Shi'ar Nega-Bomb. Using the Boom-Tube technology I had replicated with the ring, I teleported the bomb out of the armory, and into...well, who knows where?

He casually rose, using the ring to form a cutting-torch to remove the liquid-metal binding him.

"Maybe I put it in the heart of Kree space, and the resulting catastrophe could lead to another decades-long war with the Shi'ar. Maybe instead of starting a war, I decided to end one, putting it smack in between New Genesis and Apokolips, ready to bring a permanent 'cease-fire' to both worlds. Maybe it's a thousand other different places, ready to unleash destruction on an unprecented scale across untold stretches of space. Well, no matter where it is, only I have the detonator to it, and it's set to automatically go off should anything happen to that planet your master is so intent on gobbling up."

The pink-skinned Lantern's grin faded, and he looked grimly at the Herald of Galactus.

"Silver Surfer, now you see why I'm the most feared Green Lantern who ever lived. It is because I will do anything, and I do mean anything, to complete my objective. Mark my words: if Oa dies, then a million other worlds die with it. Surely even a being such as you has a conscience, right?"

As Sinestro concluded his speech, the ring's construct cut through enough of the metal ooze for him to break free. The Lantern sprung forward, creating a massive hammer with which he bashed in one of the Taa II's walls. With that, Sinestro continued his desparate gamble, searching for the ultimate weapon.

The Lantern's words gave Surfer pause, giving Sinestro time to escape his cosmic wrath.

Would he really be so cold as to sacrifice more innocents to further his ends, thought the Surfer to himself as he stood on his board, staring off blankly down the corridor.
Am I any different than this heartless Lantern?

The Surfer stood quietly for a handful of seconds, dozens of thoughts racing through his mind, before breaking the silence.

"No. Galactus does because he must. He is not good, nor is he evil. As distastful as what he does, and what I'm a party to, is...it is not the same as what this Green Lantern is doing. To threaten to sacrifice billions such as he does holds malacious intent."

The Surfer steeled himself and took off through the ship after Sinestro.
"I may not be able to save Oa, but I will stop at least one monster from killing a planet this day!"

 

[wiegeabo]

As Spider-Man helps pop the bones in my arms in place, we miss something. Apparently something important because by the time we turn back around, the fight is over. I don't know how they ended it, I don't even know how they moved so fast, but Batman and his partner stand over the fallen Octavius, the smaller of the duo cuffing his arms and tenticles together.

"Wow" Spidey and I say together.

"Did you see how...?"

"I was hoping you did."

"Nope."

"You're supposed to be fast!"

"Thought I was."

We make our way over to the dynamic pair. "I'm not sure what you two did, but good job." The boy smiles like crazy, but Batman just stands there, his cape surrounding his body. Damn, it looks like the shadows just moved to cover his face, which is especially weird since it's still late afternoon and we're in the middle of the street.

"I've read a lot about you in the papers," I say to the Bat. "Most of it is typical urban myth, but there's just enough truth in there for me to know that you're somekind of hero. Something special to this city."

"After the Darkseid invasion, some of us decided to form a group. Heroes working together in mutual protection of innocents. I was in one a long time ago, and I have to say that it can work. And the people already onboard with the idea are going to make this team as good as the old one, if not better. And I think you'd make a great addition, if you're interested."

Batman just stands there, unmoving. His sidekick tires to mimic his mentors demeanor, but I can tell he's ready to explode with exictement.

"And that invitation includes you too," I say to Spider-Man. "You survived being on Darkseid's world, and helped us all get back home. And you've made a name for yourself in your own city. If you're interested, you are more than welcome to join. I'm offering both of you a chance to do good beyond just your city."

***

Holy crap, the Flash just asked me to be in a group of heroes! Me!!! Don't be a geek, Peter. Don't be a geek. "Um, sounds good." I flinch as my voice squeeks out an octive too high. Smooth Pete, real heroic. But Flash just smiles.

This is going to be so freaking cool! I wish I could tell Aunt May...Aunt May! Oh man, how am I going to help her make ends meat if I'm out fighting supervilains all over the world? Don't ask, Pete. Don't ask. "Um, it wouldn't happen to pay anything would it?" Dammit Pete, what did you just say to yourself!?!

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea. But, um, I sort of could use the money."

***

The kid makes me laugh. I honestly hadn't though about it before. In the old days we didn't get paid for our work. Well, not in the usual way. Of course, we didn't have a multi-billionare backing us up either. And now that we do...

"Tell you what, that may just be possible. Might even be able to through some benefits your way. Being a superhero can be a dangerous line of work after all. I'll ask some questions, see what I can do." I swear the eyes in the kid's mask looks like they just grew large in surprise.

"Wow, I mean, uh, yeah, that sounds like a really good deal. Um, could I have a little time to think about it?"

"Absolutely. Take as much time as you need. You too," I say to Batman. Again it feels like I'm talking to stone. "Right. Well, I need to be off. Got some things to talk over with some folks I know. If you make a decision, contact us at the old JSA Brownstone here in Gotham."

With that said, I take off in a red blur. At least something's finally gone right.

 

[wiegeabo]

In a few seconds I'm at Dinah's house, ready to tell her what's happened since the last time we were together. But she's no where around. So I take off for Stark's mansion. It takes a few more seconds to get there. When I arrive, security just lets me pace and I run up to the front door. The large front door.

I ring the bell and knock a few times. It takes an interminable minute for the latch to click and the door to open. On the other side is a well groomed butler. "May I help you sir?" he politely asks, not even glancing at my uniform.

"Yes. My name's Jay Garrick. I'm looking for..."

"Ah, yes. You are Miss Lance's uncle."

I smile at that. "Yes I am. And I need to speak with her. Is she here?"

"Miss Lance and Mister Stark are currently out."

"Well, where are they. I need to talk with them."

"Well, they did tell me where they would be in case of emergency." He picks up a pad and pen and jots down the address, pulling out the paper. "But Miss Lance made it clear that they should..." a blur of red wind and the paper is gone, "...not be disturbed?" he says to no one.

Admittedly, I'm not as familiar with New York as I used to be, so it takes a few seconds to find the address the butler wrote down. When I do find it, I dash inside and begin looking for Dinah and Tony.

I find them sitting together and stop in front of them. From their point of view, it must have looked like I materialized out of thin air with a gust of wind following me. The same gust that disturbed the other diners in the restaurant.

"Dinah! Tony!" I say without even paying attention to where I was, interrupting whatever they were doing. "I'm not sure where to start, but I need to fill you in on what happened." And I proceed to do so, at near superspeed. I tell them about Ted agreeing to train new members, fighting the zombies in Europe, meeting Thor, only for him to be killed in the battle against Mordru. I tell them about Druid and Zatanna. About returning from Europe only to help the Sentry in New York and with the fight in Gotham. And about extending an invitation to join the new group to Zatanna, Juggernaut, Reed Richards, Batman, and Spider-Man.

"Unfortunately," I say, finishing my spiel, "Zatanna said she needed time, Juggernaut said...he wasn't interested, and Batman...well...he didn't say much of anything. At least Spider-Man was very interested, but said he needed to think about it as well. So, while Europe is safe, as far as putting a team together, I really didn't get...very...," I look around, finally noticing all the people looking at me, "far?"

"I, uh..." I rub the back of my head, embarrased, "did I interrupt?"

 

[Andy C.]

(IC: Green Lantern)

Hal Jordan braced himself as the chamber around him quaked and buckled. During his time in the Air Force, he had seen some of the most dangerous situations, flown the most harrowing missions in years. He had stared fear in the face and watched as it backed down. Now, the jet-jockey from Coast City had the powers of a god literally wrapped around his finger, but he was feeling the first pangs of genuine panic he had known in his life.

Outside, a being of unimaginable power was tearing his way through this planet's best defenses, and was coming for the one thing Hal was here to protect. No matter what the danger, no matter how bad the panic was, Jordan was not going to give Galactus anything without a fight.

"Well, ring," Jordan said under his breath, "it's time I find out what you can do."

"THAT DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON THE CALIBER OF YOUR OWN WILLPOWER."

Hal blinked, looked around at the other Lanterns. None of them gave any sign that they had said anything--in fact, some of them Hal wasn't sure even had mouths--and Hal could only assume...

"Ring? You can talk?"

"THAT IS CORRECT. ALL STANDARD-ISSUE GREEN LANTERN RINGS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MOST ADVANCED ARTIFICIAL INTERLLIGENCE SYSTEM. THIS ALLOWS YOU TO UNDERSTAND VIRTUALLY EVERY LANGUAGE IN EVERY KNOWN CIVILIZATION--TO NAME JUST ONE OF THE ABILITIES I POSSESS."

"That explains why I can talk to the other Lanterns...hadn't really crossed my mind. But then again, I'm either in the middle of a warzone surrounded by aliens with magic rings, or I'm having the weirdest dream I've ever had, so..." Hal sighed, "why am I getting used to this so easily?"

"I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION."

"No, I don't guess you would."

"Look alive, rookie!" Jordan's conversation with the ring was cut off by the booming voice of Kilowog. "Galactus is about to bring the roof down. We'll train you on how to really use that thing later; right now, we need you to help us put up a shield around the Battery!"

"How do I do that?!"

"Just think of one, and it's there! Now come on, we're running out of--"

The ceiling gave way with a deafening crash. Now, staring directly into the chamber, gazing down at the small band of Green Lanterns, were the eyes of Galactus.

"...oh, boy. Here we go..."

The rings of the Lanterns sparked to life, and as the Devourer of Worlds lashed out at them with the Power Cosmic, the remnants of the Green Lantern Corps focused their powers together, creating an emerald dome around the Battery and themselves. Incredible amounts of energy surged through the chamber, dancing across the edge of their barrier, eating away at it. The Lanterns held their ground, but even as they poured their enegry forth, their will was slowly being eaten away.

Only Hal Jordan stood still awed by what was going on around him, the sheer power of these beings.

"LANTERN 2814! We need every one of us on this, or we're done for! Now get in the fight, soldier!"

The harsh barking order came from Ke'Haan, annoyed at the new Lantern's inaction. Something clicked inside Hal, and he realized now that it was time he truly became part of this struggle. The ring on his hand glowed, and a bright viridian beam spewed forth, pouring an incredible amount of energy into the shield.

Hal Jordan had finally joined the fight, and as he focused his will on keeping his new strange allies safe, he began to realize he wasn't just some witness, some onlooker having a bizarre vision. He was now a Green Lantern.

 

[Keyser Soze]

It felt good to be king again.

Since Lex Luthor humiliatied him in front of a global televised audience, Superman had not been heard of. Metropolis once again belonged to Luthor. But now was not the time to rest on his laurels. There was still this Magneto problem to deal with. And, of course, he was always in the pursuit of new technology.

That's why right now, Luthor was in one of his Lexcorp research facilities, oveseeing a very special project. The construction of his own robotic battlesuit. As soon as Dr. Doom's blueprints had arrived, extensive work had been underway. And now it was time for the first demonstration.

A scientist was dressed in a rather basic suit of armour - the design would come later. Once all the checks and countdowns were completed, the suit was activated. The scientist took a few tentative steps forward. What had at first just been bulky, heavy metal now pulsed with energy, allowed for easy mobility. It was these apparently simple biomechanics that had been difficult for Luthor to nail down. But everything seemed to be working well.

The scientist took up into the air, the jet propellers at the bases of the feet operating perfectly. At last, the power to make a man fly was in Luthor's grasp. Luthor was overjoyed. Until the scientist exploded.

"I don't understand," a stunned technician explained, "All our checks were extensive. We followed the blueprints to the last detail..."

"...The blueprints were faulty," Luthor snapped back.

The design itself was flawless. It was in the fuel source, how the suit was powered, that Doom had sabotaged the blueprints. They had struck a deal! Luthor would give him the Absorbicrom, in exchange for these blueprints. He had to stop the exchange, he had to...

Luthor's phone rang. He already knew what it would be about. The technician on the other end of the phone told him about the intrusion into one of his facilities, the theft of the Absorbicrom. Doom had screwed him.

"DAMNIT!"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The Lantern's words gave Surfer pause, giving Sinestro time to escape his cosmic wrath.

Would he really be so cold as to sacrifice more innocents to further his ends, thought the Surfer to himself as he stood on his board, staring off blankly down the corridor.
Am I any different than this heartless Lantern?

The Surfer stood quietly for a handful of seconds, dozens of thoughts racing through his mind, before breaking the silence.

"No. Galactus does because he must. He is not good, nor is he evil. As distastful as what he does, and what I'm a party to, is...it is not the same as what this Green Lantern is doing. To threaten to sacrifice billions such as he does holds malacious intent."

The Surfer steeled himself and took off through the ship after Sinestro.
"I may not be able to save Oa, but I will stop at least one monster from killing a planet this day!"

With lightning speed, the Surfer quickly caught up to Most-Feared-Lantern.
With the Power Cosmic, The Surfer stretched out and up the floor of the ship in front of the Lantern, creating a wall to block his path.
The Lantern created a plasma cannon with his ring and blew right through the makeshift barrier, but he had to slow down to do it.
And that was what Norrin wanted.
Moving hundreds of miles per hour, the Surfer slammed his board into the Lantern's side, hearing ribs crack upon the impact.
With one hand the Surfer grabbed the Lantern by the throat and held him up to face him eye to eye. With the Surfer's far superior strength, the Lantern was unable to break his grasp.
With his other hand covered in cosmic energy, the Surfer placed it right in front of the Lantern's face.
"The Shi'ar bomb! Where is it!? Tell me quickly and you live!"

 

[Andy C.]

Sinestro's eyes watered, crippling pain shooting up his side from his broken ribs. He clenched his teeth, not giving the Surfer the satisfaction of hearing him cry out. The herald of Galactus held him at bay, poised to blast the Korugarian apart. However, Sinestro was not about to lose his composure.

"You know, Surfer...I don't like you. I don't like anything about you. You and your globe-gobbling master draw your powers from the raw forces of nature. Nature is chaos, and chaos is no use to anyone. Chaos needs to be brought to order, and to do so, will needs to be enforced upon it. And that is why you and your master cannot be allowed to continue in such an unpredictable manner.

"Oh, and as for that Nega-Bomb? You'll find it in a galaxy pretty far from here...Space Sector 2814, orbiting a small little blue-and-green planet where I just happened to have picked up my new apprentice. I don't know if you've managed to meet him, but he's rather quite impressively powerful, and he doesn't even know it yet. And once he finds out that his home-world has been destroyed, there's no telling what he might do. An insane Green Lantern with a grudge is nothing to trifle with, after all.

"But I probably shouldn't keep prattling on; after all, while we've been having this lovely little chat, I've already begun the countdown for the bomb's detonation. You have only about ten minutes to stop it before it takes out a rather sizeable section of perfectly good galaxy. Good luck."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The Surfer's eyes narrowed with determination as he threw the Lantern into a nearby wall with amazing force.

Using his much heralded speed, the Surfer rocketed towards the nearest computer terminal and activated it.
He began searching the astral charts of sector 2814, looking for a planet that fit the Lantern's description. Then, he found one. This had to be the planet he spoke of.

Earth.

It was some distance from Oa. But, flying at his maximum speeds, the Surfer would be able to reach it with some time to spare.
Still, he knew he could not leave the Lantern to wander unchecked through Galactus' ship. Activating a specific defensive protocol he had watched his master use before, the Surfer awakened Galactus' Cat to go after the intruder.

With that done, the Surfer took off at break-neck speed, zooming through the corridors of the colossal ship and out into space. Giving one final look back to the planet, Norrin saw Galactus advance on the Central Power Battery of Oa. The source of the Lantern's ring's amazing powers.
With a sigh and a silent prayer of forgiveness to whatever deity may be listening, Norrin Radd flew towards Earth at warp speeds to stop the bomb, leaving OA to it's fate.

 

[Midnight Ice]

It felt good to be king again.

Since Lex Luthor humiliatied him in front of a global televised audience, Superman had not been heard of. Metropolis once again belonged to Luthor. But now was not the time to rest on his laurels. There was still this Magneto problem to deal with. And, of course, he was always in the pursuit of new technology.

That's why right now, Luthor was in one of his Lexcorp research facilities, oveseeing a very special project. The construction of his own robotic battlesuit. As soon as Dr. Doom's blueprints had arrived, extensive work had been underway. And now it was time for the first demonstration.

A scientist was dressed in a rather basic suit of armour - the design would come later. Once all the checks and countdowns were completed, the suit was activated. The scientist took a few tentative steps forward. What had at first just been bulky, heavy metal now pulsed with energy, allowed for easy mobility. It was these apparently simple biomechanics that had been difficult for Luthor to nail down. But everything seemed to be working well.

The scientist took up into the air, the jet propellers at the bases of the feet operating perfectly. At last, the power to make a man fly was in Luthor's grasp. Luthor was overjoyed. Until the scientist exploded.

"I don't understand," a stunned technician explained, "All our checks were extensive. We followed the blueprints to the last detail..."

"...The blueprints were faulty," Luthor snapped back.

The design itself was flawless. It was in the fuel source, how the suit was powered, that Doom had sabotaged the blueprints. They had struck a deal! Luthor would give him the Absorbicrom, in exchange for these blueprints. He had to stop the exchange, he had to...

Luthor's phone rang. He already knew what it would be about. The technician on the other end of the phone told him about the intrusion into one of his facilities, the theft of the Absorbicrom. Doom had screwed him.

"DAMNIT!"

Steve Rogers pulled into the garage in Lex Corp. And dialed Lex on his cell phone.

"Hello, Lex? This is Steve. I took care of Deadpool and Bullseye. Where are you?"

 

[Keyser Soze]

Steve Rogers pulled into the garage in Lex Corp. And dialed Lex on his cell phone.

"Hello, Lex? This is Steve. I took care of Deadpool and Bullseye. Where are you?"

Captain America.

Lex Luthor couldn't let him know there was anything wrong. He was totally unaware of Luthor's dealings with Doom. And it had to stay that away.

"Steve, hello! I'm at one of my research facilities, overseeing a project. I'm heading back to Lexcorp now, and you can tell me all about Deadpool and Bullseye."

 

[Midnight Ice]

Captain America.

Lex Luthor couldn't let him know there was anything wrong. He was totally unaware of Luthor's dealings with Doom. And it had to stay that away.

"Steve, hello! I'm at one of my research facilities, overseeing a project. I'm heading back to Lexcorp now, and you can tell me all about Deadpool and Bullseye."

"Sounds good Lex. I will be waiting for you. I am also anxious to hear about what you have been working on lately."

 

[Andy C.]

(IC: Green Lantern)

Hal focused everything he had on keeping the viridian energy shield from collapsing. The other Lanterns around him began to falter, their willpower being sapped by the sheer overwhelming force of the Power Cosmic seeping in on them. Kilowog and Ke'Haan stood tall, as did Laira and Salaak, unwavering like Jordan, but out of the corner of his eye the Earthman saw Tomar-Tu break his concentration. The beam of his ring flickered out, and his section of the shield came down. Cosmic energy swirled around him before swallowing him up.

With that opening in the shield exploited, the other Green Lanterns could not act quickly enough. Boodikka was quickly overcome, as were Graf Toren and Morro. Jordan willed his ring to patch the holes in the barrier, but it was too late. He could not hold the shield dome himself, and his new comerades were being disintegrated. He needed to do something drastic.

Jordan broke his concentration on the shield, and reached with his ring towards the Central Battery itself. Blinding light filled the chamber as the pure unbridled force of the Power Cosmic attempted to devour him.

And then, there was silence.

Galactus, knowing he had swept away the last of the Green Lanterns with ease, ended the cascade of energy and peered into the chamber. And for the first time in untold millenia, Galactus was surprised.

The Green Lantern of Sector 2814 floated in the ruins, emerald energy swirling around him. The rest of the Lanterns floated around him, unconscious but kept alive by Jordan's will. On his right hand, the power ring gleamed brighter than ever. In his left hand was the Battery.

Galactus stared at the miniscule being, and addressed him in a booming voice.

"I am he who is Galactus! I am he who has seen the beginning of all things, and will see the end of all things. I will not be denied the power I seek! Who dares defy the will of Galactus?"

"My name's Hal Jordan. And I think you'll find I don't scare that easily."

 

[Andy C.]

(IC: Sinestro)

Sinestro slowly pulled himself back to his feet, having barely put up a shield around himself in time to absorb the impact from the Surfer throwing him into the wall. It was hardly a comfortable landing, but without his barrier, he would have broken every bone in his body.

As the dazed Korugarian collected himself, he became aware of a loud booming, other than the one in his throbbing head. The sound of large, metallic footsteps coming closer and closer... until it stopped...

...and the thing burst upward from the lower levels...

It was a monstrous robotic sentry, no doubt built to keep the Taa II protected while the Surfer was preoccupied. It was an unfortunate oversight, but Sinestro grinned. He would surely make quick work of this wind-up toy...

 

[twylight]

In a few seconds I'm at Dinah's house, ready to tell her what's happened since the last time we were together. But she's no where around. So I take off for Stark's mansion. It takes a few more seconds to get there. When I arrive, security just lets me pace and I run up to the front door. The large front door.

I ring the bell and knock a few times. It takes an interminable minute for the latch to click and the door to open. On the other side is a well groomed butler. "May I help you sir?" he politely asks, not even glancing at my uniform.

"Yes. My name's Jay Garrick. I'm looking for..."

"Ah, yes. You are Miss Lance's uncle."

I smile at that. "Yes I am. And I need to speak with her. Is she here?"

"Miss Lance and Mister Stark are currently out."

"Well, where are they. I need to talk with them."

"Well, they did tell me where they would be in case of emergency." He picks up a pad and pen and jots down the address, pulling out the paper. "But Miss Lance made it clear that they should..." a blur of red wind and the paper is gone, "...not be disturbed?" he says to no one.

Admittedly, I'm not as familiar with New York as I used to be, so it takes a few seconds to find the address the butler wrote down. When I do find it, I dash inside and begin looking for Dinah and Tony.

I find them sitting together and stop in front of them. From their point of view, it must have looked like I materialized out of thin air with a gust of wind following me. The same gust that disturbed the other diners in the restaurant.

"Dinah! Tony!" I say without even paying attention to where I was, interrupting whatever they were doing. "I'm not sure where to start, but I need to fill you in on what happened." And I proceed to do so, at near superspeed. I tell them about Ted agreeing to train new members, fighting the zombies in Europe, meeting Thor, only for him to be killed in the battle against Mordru. I tell them about Druid and Zatanna. About returning from Europe only to help the Sentry in New York and with the fight in Gotham. And about extending an invitation to join the new group to Zatanna, Juggernaut, Reed Richards, Batman, and Spider-Man.

"Unfortunately," I say, finishing my spiel, "Zatanna said she needed time, Juggernaut said...he wasn't interested, and Batman...well...he didn't say much of anything. At least Spider-Man was very interested, but said he needed to think about it as well. So, while Europe is safe, as far as putting a team together, I really didn't get...very...," I look around, finally noticing all the people looking at me, "far?"
"I, uh..." I rub the back of my head, embarrased, "did I interrupt?"

"Hmm..." I say leaning back, appreciating Tony's choice of dinner for me.
"From now on you're ordering all my food."

Tony smiles.
"Of course, I've had a lot of practice."

I lean forward.
"What else do you have a lot of practice on?" I tease with a playful tone.

Tony smiles.
"That will have to wait till-

He's cut off as a gust of red wind blows through the resturant, causing me to brush my hair away from my face as it whips over it. The very fact that the wind it's self is familier is enough to annoy me at this moment. I left specific instructions for Jarvis. I make a disgusted look and turn towards the man in red, talking a mile a minute, almost literally. I drape my elbow over the back of my chair as I watch Jay with mixed amusement and frustration. He's very animated about this, but still it's no excuse to ruin my night with Tony, it's selfish but really I am an adult now.

"did I interrupt?"

I gracefully reach my arm out and close the portfolio on the table before answering.

"No, not really." I said quietly and slowly, my frustration mounting as Tony seems to be thinking to himself, a thoughtful look he'd worn through all of Jay's story.

"Well." he says noting the looks on the fellow diners faces.
"I think with dinner done, we could pick up dessert at a later date."

I nod and stand up, the sooner we're out of here the better. Tony helps me put my jacket on as he talks to the waiter.

"Perhaps a walk home?" He suggests as we step out of the resturant.

"This is the same idea you presented to me earlier, and Dinah agreed to?"

 

[wiegeabo]

I follow the two out of the restaraunt, mentally punching myself. And when I see the looks on most of the diners I interrupted, I start mentally having Ted punch me, and I deserve it.

As we walk out of the restaurant, I speak up. "Listen, I'm really sorry about that. I should know better than most how important time away from the game is. Everything I told you probably could have waited, but I've been gone so long, and so much has happened...well...I... I'm a speedster, you know how much patience we have. But that's no excuse."

I can tell Dinah's mad. Her mother used to look the same way, usually at me and Ted, and thankfully at Ted more than me. Her mother's look could turn a person to ice. And the only reason I'm not frozen right now is the slight humor I can see hiding behind Dinah's eyes. Tony, on the otherhand, is harder to read. He seems upset, but he's also having a bit of a laugh on the inside.

I notice that Dinah is holding something. A portfolio. And I feel like punching myself some more when I remember what that portfolio displayed when it was opened on the table. Her wedding plans. Only someone with a deathwish would interrupt a woman planning her wedding. I guess old age is slipping up on me.

"You know what," I start, "This can wait. You two were having a night on the town, and deserve it. Just get in touch with me when your ready and we'll..." I notice a news report on a television through a storewindow, "...talk about it?"

I take a step closer to the window. The screen is filled with chaos, people running and screaming. Dirt and debris filling the sky and streets. I may not be able to hear the tv, but I can read the text on the screen, and it stuns me to the core.

"...Sear's Tower destroyed by unknown being. Thousands feared dead or injured..."

"My God..."

 

[twylight]

I follow the two out of the restaraunt, mentally punching myself. And when I see the looks on most of the diners I interrupted, I start mentally having Ted punch me, and I deserve it.

As we walk out of the restaurant, I speak up. "Listen, I'm really sorry about that. I should know better than most how important time away from the game is. Everything I told you probably could have waited, but I've been gone so long, and so much has happened...well...I... I'm a speedster, you know how much patience we have. But that's no excuse."

I can tell Dinah's mad. Her mother used to look the same way, usually at me and Ted, and thankfully at Ted more than me. Her mother's look could turn a person to ice. And the only reason I'm not frozen right now is the slight humor I can see hiding behind Dinah's eyes. Tony, on the otherhand, is harder to read. He seems upset, but he's also having a bit of a laugh on the inside.

I notice that Dinah is holding something. A portfolio. And I feel like punching myself some more when I remember what that portfolio displayed when it was opened on the table. Her wedding plans. Only someone with a deathwish would interrupt a woman planning her wedding. I guess old age is slipping up on me.

"You know what," I start, "This can wait. You two were having a night on the town, and deserve it. Just get in touch with me when your ready and we'll..." I notice a news report on a television through a storewindow, "...talk about it?"

I take a step closer to the window. The screen is filled with chaos, people running and screaming. Dirt and debris filling the sky and streets. I may not be able to hear the tv, but I can read the text on the screen, and it stuns me to the core.

"...Sear's Tower destroyed by unknown being. Thousands feared dead or injured..."


"My God..."

I walk between Jay and Tony as we walk down the street, Tony seems to be deep in thought, the way he had been for the last two weeks, I'd hoped that tonight might releave him a little of that but..I look at Jay, trying to look stern, I think it's only a look my mother could patent because it is a little funny having Jay crash our 'romantic' dinner.

"Jay, don't worry about it. It wasn't that important anyway." I lie shifting the portfolio out of view as I catch him eyeing it.

"So right now our little 'League' numbers three? No more? How many others can we-"
I stop realizing I'd lost Jay a few steps ago. He stopped at a window and seemed somewhat shocked. Tony turns around and looks himself as we watch the news footage from behind the glass window.

I lean against Tony as I feel him tense up.

"I get the feeling that this isn't going to wait till later."

 

[Batman]

(IC: Superman)

It isn't even an hour after I left the Fortress that I find myself descending from the sky, once more. I've... I've had alot of time to think. To reflect, on what I wanted to accomplish in my time here, on Earth. And in order to fully realise one thing that truly stood out, amongst my more... personal desires, I had to come back to Metropolis.

I float, slowly, still hiding myself in the clouds as I scan the rooftops and skycrapers below me. All of those people, down there... What if Zod targeted them? Hundreds... Thousands of lives already destroyed, wouldn't even register in comparison to the chaos he could inflict with true effort. I'm a living example of that.

I lower myself from the clouds, spotting the globe beneath me. The Daily Planet. I haven't worked here for very long at all... Many legends in journalism have been spawned here. I smile as much as I can, under the circumstances, as I read the bold lettering appearing on the scrolling globe. I've been... fortunate. Fortune to have this life. To have reached as many goals as I have. I look back, still floating in the air. Metropolis is in view. Fortunate to live on this world.

As I land on the Planet's roof, My hearing picks up the mechanics of the elevator. I turn, scanning it with my x-ray vision. It's...

Oh no. No... not her. Not now, of all times. How could I face her, after all that's happened? I turn back around, looking at Metropolis. It only reminds me of the sacrifice I may have to make... Abandoning this world, and ceasing my life as Clark Kent. Now, of all times, is the best time to do this.

I don't even look back as the door opens, and Lois steps forward. I hear a faint gasp, as I lower my head. I'm still not sure if I can face her.

"Superman?"

I look back, seeing her. She looks at me with uncertainty, at first. But it slowly fades, as she slowly walks forward. I turn around, fully, silent for as many moments as I can bare.

"Hello, Ms. Lane.", I say, trying my best to work up another smile.

"I... I wasn't sure if you'd be here.", She begins. "I kept watch for you. This is probably my fifth trip up here in the last hour. I thought... maybe if I kept looking to the sky..."

I look at her, curiously.

"Why?"

She crosses her arms.

"To see what you were really going to do."

I sigh.

"You were at the press conference. What you heard is... well, that's the geist of it. I'm still going to turn myself in to Zod.", I say.

I can tell the look of disappointment on her face. The same look from New York, after I hadn't given an interview after the attack towards The Fantastic Four. Only this one is much deeper. And... quite honestly, I can't really blame her.

"I'm sorry."

She shakes her head.

"No... Don't be. It's... I know you only want to do what's right.", She says, looking back up at me.

I gaze back into her eyes, serious.

"Lois... the way you defended me from Luthor... I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciated that. It must've taken alot of guts to-"

"Oh, believe me. That wasn't hard at all.", She says, with a bit of bitterness after I've mentioned Luthor. "I should've known better than to try. If there's anything he's good at, it's twisting one's words and making his own sound legitimate. But...", She says, looking back up at me. "I couldn't let you walk out of it without someone standing up for everything you've done."

I smile.

"You didn't have to."

"No, Superman... That's the point. Someone had to. You've saved so many lives... Put your own on the line numerous times since you've came here... I just couldn't watch that account for nothing. It wasn't right then, and it isn't right now.", She continues.

I can't help but feel guilty. I don't know why, at first. But it slowly dawns on me: I never would've found the courage to. I can be alot of things. Determined. Stubborn. Happy. Sad. Angry. Every human trait that I've picked up from my time here has made me as human as the people I swore to protect, internally. But never once could I allow myself to be arrogant... Overly proud of everything I had done. I never saw myself as a God. I saw myself... and still see myself, as someone who was simply willing to help.

And because of this, I had to force her to defend me, instead of fighting my own battle. Maybe that's why I couldn't tell Luthor off. I couldn't find the courage to allow myself to be put above anyone else.

It's at that moment that I realise I've wandered off in my thoughts, as I look back at Lois, who looks at me, confused.

"Are you alright?", She asks.

I don't know how to answer. But somehow, words escape my lips...

"I'm trying to be.", I answer, before stepping forward.

All of this power... All of these gifts, and wonders I've been given over the years. These amazing things. And I've never been able to share them with anyone. What it's like, to float over Metropolis. The view of Earth's atmosphere. The cold winds... But the gentle feeling of freedom.

"Lois..."

I reach out my hand.

"There's something I want to show you. Something I've... never been able to share with anyone else."

She looks slightly shocked, as she looks at my hand, and back at me. She didn't expect that. Quite frankly, it didn't spring to mind immediatley on my part, either. But if this is how I'm to say goodbye to anyone who's defended my abilities and actions as much as she has... I can't think of anything more fitting. The minute she takes my hand, I step forward, slowly pulling her closer to me. She wraps her arms around my neck, as I wrap one of mine around her waist.

"And what would that be?", She asks.

"You'll see. But in the meantime... try not to look down.", I respond.

She looks at me, questionably, before managing a glance downward. The sudden fear in her eyes tells me that she didn't notice our ascension. She pulls closer to me, as I look up at the sky, determining how far up I should go, as to not harm her. After all... my skin is much more durable than her's.

By the time we've passed the first set of clouds, I've stopped. We float among the moonlit skyline of Metropolis, as she keeps her eyes closed, not wanting to look down again.

"It's alright now.", I say, as she re-opens her eyes in response. Looking down, her gaze isn't of horror anymore. It's... well, similar to the first time that I saw it myself. A gaze of awe.

"Every day since I first came to Metropolis, I've found myself at this height.", I begin. "At first, it meant nothing. But as I began protecting... helping those in need, I began to see why I kept coming up here. It was because it reminded me of how many needed their cries for help to be answered."

She looks back up at me.

"I see thousands down there. Thousands of people that I don't want to see destroyed, because I wanted to stay.", I continue. "That's why I'm leaving, Lois. So that one day... if mankind ever reaches the stars, like I have... They can see the same thing that I've shown you, and know that it was worth it.", I finish.

Lois finally manages to speak.

"But what if it isn't worth it? What if, when you leave, everyone is destroyed irregardless?", she questions.

I lower my head. A question I was hoping that I wouldn't have to answer.

"Then I will have made a mistake.", I say. "But if it is... it's worth risking."

Lois lowers her own head, as we decend, again. I don't think she even notices when we land back on the Daily Planet rooftop. I ease my grip, as she lowers her arms from my neck.

I want to tell her. I want to say how sorry I am for all of the times I've never told her... about me. Being both Superman and Clark Kent. Ma and Pa would understand, if I did. And yet... I can't find those words. Instead, says something else I wanted to say for me, as she puts her hands to the side of my face, slowly pulling me forward...

There's no denying it, any longer. But it doesn't even matter. Nothing else matters, the moment I turn myself in to Zod. Except the fate of the world that I'm leaving behind.

As our lips part, I wrap my arms around her, as a final goodbye. The longer it lasts... The longer I'm reminded of my humanity. And the more I don't want to leave.

If there's ever a time I've questioned the decision more... it's now. More than ever.

 

[wiegeabo]

The three of us watch the news cast for a minute, unable to move, unable to do much of anything. I haven't felt like this since...

The hero instincts kick in. This time will be different. This time someone will be there to help. "We've got to move." Dinah and Tony just look at me. "Now." That kicks them back into action. I smile, their hero instincts are there, they just need a little refinement. So do mine, I guess.

"I can be there in no time. Anyone need a ride?"

 

[twylight]

The three of us watch the news cast for a minute, unable to move, unable to do much of anything. I haven't felt like this since...

The hero instincts kick in. This time will be different. This time someone will be there to help. "We've got to move." Dinah and Tony just look at me. "Now." That kicks them back into action. I smile, their hero instincts are there, they just need a little refinement. So do mine, I guess.

"I can be there in no time. Anyone need a ride?"

"Home please." I ask. Right about now I'm wishing for Jay's speed, but Tony's flight belt should help me get there quickly anyway. Now it was only a matter of the costume. I think I'm going to need to start carrying a larger purse.

 

[wiegeabo]

"Home please." I ask. Right about now I'm wishing for Jay's speed, but Tony's flight belt should help me get there quickly anyway. Now it was only a matter of the costume. I think I'm going to need to start carrying a larger purse.

"Good. Let's go." But I stop myself before we take off. Oh, this is awkward. "Um, I'm not sure if I can carry both of you back to the mansion at once. But it'll only take me a few seconds to get there and back for the other one. So, who's first?"

 

[twylight]

"Good. Let's go." But I stop myself before we take off. Oh, this is awkward. "Um, I'm not sure if I can carry both of you back to the mansion at once. But it'll only take me a few seconds to get there and back for the other one. So, who's first?"

I raise my eyebrow at Jay.
"You have to ask? I'm the one putting on fishnet's. It's not easy you know."