One Universe: Season III IC Thread

[wiegeabo]

Robin smiles from the darkness. He had been practicing his ability to silently observe. It gave him satisfaction that Bruce hadn't noticed him in the shadows.

"Right here, Batman. Lets go mash up a clown, huh?"

He's getting good. After what happened the last time we faced the Joker, I almost wish Robin would stay behind. But I'm going to need him.

I punch my code into one of the mini-vaults built into a cave wall. "Help me with this." Robin gives me a look like I'm a little crazy. "Trust me, we're going to need these. We only have a few hours to get to New York and save those people."

"But,sir, the Joker said you only need to appear on camera," Alfred says as he descends into the cave.

"And then he blows himself up, taking everyone with him. The last thing I'm going to do is give the Joker what he wants." Robin and I finish loading the equipment into the batmobile before jumping in.

"Buckle in tight. Because I'm not slowing down."

 

[Byrd Man]

After seeing Harvey, I spend the next hour on the roof overlooking Gotham General. I think about what he said, have I really been like that to him? So condescending, with my nose stuck up at him.

I never meant to hurt him. I remind myself that, and the fact that whoever I was talking to in that room isn't my real friend. Regardless of what was said in that room, Harvey Dent is still my friend. I still believe in him.

I'm so stuck in my thoughts, that I don't hear the man or woman coming up on the roof until they're on the floor below me.

"We need to talk." Gordon says behind me.

I hear the woman behind him unloosen her shoulder holster.

"Guns won't be necessary, miss."

I spin and face Gordon and his partner.

"Let's talk."

"Harvey told me about you two, said you were friends. I understand how bad you want to find Wuertz, I want him just as bad if not worse."

"What do you need from me?"

"I want you to back off. Wuertz was one of my officers, it's my fault Maroni got that acid. I'm to blame."

I squat down in front of the two detectives and scowl.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Commissioner.This is just as personal to you as it is to me."

I think about what Harvey said to me in that hospital room.

I move to Gotham City, and now you're here too. Just not when I needed you, it would seem.

"For me, I want to right a wrong. I owe it to my friend."

"...........I spoke with Batman a few hours ago, he's out of town dealing with a case. I don't know when he'll be back, but until he gets back; I'll allow you to work on the case in two conditions. One, you keep me in the loop about anything you find, and vice versa. Two, if you've found Wuertz, I want a shot at him."

I nod and turn away from Gordon and his partner.

I stand on the edge of the roof, slowly leaning forward.

"I'll be in touch."

I lean forward and fall off the rooftop. As I fall, I hear Gordon's whisper as clear as a clocktower's chime.

"You better be...."

​

 

[Keyser Soze]

"How are we feeling today?"

The nurse is all smiles as she enters the room. I offer none in return. No answer either. Just keep on staring straight aside. She might not believe it, but it's a courtesy. Probably merciful she doesn't get to see my whole face.

"Just here to make sure you're comfortable. Let's see..."

She approaches the bed, and goes round behind me. With a sigh of annoyance, I sit up while she plumps up the pillows. Does she really get paid to do this?

"Oh, and one other thing. I have a message from Sal Maroni."

I react on instinct, getting my hands up to my throat just in time, as a garotte wire wraps around my neck. The woman pulls tight, and I feel my air supply getting cut off and the wire slicing into the burnt flesh on the left side of my neck. I try and call out, try and push the wire back, but I can't. I gag, trying and failing to pull in some air.

"There there, nice and quiet...."

Maybe it's best I die. End this endless cycle of pain and heartbreak once and for all. What do I have to live for now?

"Mr. Maroni wishes to remind you of some comments you made about his family. Says he'll take care of yours too."

Then I realise I do have something to live for.

"Gilda."

"What was that?"

She leans forward, attempting to listen more closely. And that's my opportunity. I thrust my head back, catching her hard under the chin, then swing her over my head. She flies over the bed, and lands messily in a heap on the floor.

Retching and gasping for air, I jump out of bed, bare ass exposed as my undone hospital gown flaps about over my chest. The situation would be ridiculous if I wasn't in such danger.

"Fine, you don't want quiet?" the fake nurse spat spitefully, getting to her feet, "I got another way..."

But as she draws out her gun, I'm on her. I swipe the gun to the side just as she fires, a bullet going through the window. Then, understandably setting aside any notion of chivalry, I punch her in the face. A solid right cross right to the nose; I feel cartilage crunching under my fist. The woman hits the floor hard, out for the count. How heroic of me. Is this where I depart with a pithy one-liner?

"S**t!"

Maybe not.

I pace around the room, trying to keep the panic at bay, trying to think straight. But the enormity of just how screwed I am can't be avoided. Ruining me wasn't enough for Maroni. He wants me dead. He wants Gilda dead. What am I supposed to do?

I know what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to tell hospital staff to call the police, wait for Gordon to show up, tell him everything, and hope for the best. Yeah, that's not going to work. Wait here for Maroni to send another hired gun while my wife is in constant danger? No, I have to end this. I don't know, but I have to. And with all the scattered possibilities shooting through my fevered brain, all the muddled, vague alternatives rushing past, not a single scenario involves me staying here.

I need to be quick. The gunshot will have alerted staff. Rushing across the room, I swing the wardrobe door open. All that's in there are the clothes I was wearing when I was rushed to hospital. My suit all burned and eroded down the left side. Just like my face. I look up at the mirror on the inside of the wardrobe door, and I want to scream. The people out there in the big wide world? They will scream. I'm a monster now. A freak.

No, can't think about that now. Burned suit or not, it's better than my ass showing up on Youtube. Moving fast, I haul the hospital gown off, and in a matter of seconds pull on my underwear, pants, shirt, suit jacket, socks and shoes. I look like I just emerged from a train wreck.

I'm about to run out of the ward, when I stop at my room door. I look back at the unconscious killer. Look at the gun in her hand. I hate guns. The only time I came close to using one is a moment I still regret. But... I need to protect myself. I'm a marked man now, more so than ever. Reluctantly, I grab the gun and tuck it into the back of my waistband. Then I look over at my bedside table.

"Almost forgot..."

My father's coin. My coin. I could never leave that behind.

Grabbing the coin and sticking it in my pocket, I run out of the room. It's time to disappear.

 

[Byrd Man]

​

I head to the hospital after my run in with Daredevil. Like Batman, I know I can't control or stop him, but it's good to know we're on the same page.

Sarah and I are in the lobby when we hear it.

BLAM!

I look at her and do my best Flash impersonation as I run up the stairs. I wheezing and I have my gun drawn as I hit the fourth floor.

I rush into Harvey's room, there's a nurse oin the floor. I reach down to check her pulse. She's alive, but more importantly; Harvey is missing.

I turn on my heels and leave his room. I grab my walkie-talkie and press the button.

"I want this whole hospital sealed off. Nobody gets in or out. We may have a kidnapping situation involving Dent."​

 

[Gallagher]

Jonny Frost

The staduim was packed out, every seat in the house had an ass glued to it, including mine. After another five year stretch most guys would want to do something a little different, bang their wives, do some drugs, eat a home-cooked meal, usually in that order. Me? Nah I just wanted some rest and relaxation, I didn't care who was playing, I don't care if the music sucks, as I passed the stadium I saw a man giving out tickets, I bought one and here I am for a night of regular people enjoying regular things.

I'm a sucker for the mundane.

As the band made its way to the stage and the people in the audience started getting crazy I sat back and soaked it all in.

"Enjoy it Jonny boy." I spoke to myself, being around regular people would only get you so far in the world, doing ordinary things would only get you so much. Tomorrow I pick myself up and get back on the horse. Back to the life that landed me in jail five times already. Why do I keep going back to that life? I ask myself all the time and I always get the same answer.

I don't know anything else. That was the simple truth of it, I never had an honest job in my life, never wanted one, I wanted power and respect and the only way a dumb kid like me is going to get that is to earn it, through money and murder. I wanted to be somebody, then again, didn't everyone?

As the show went on I found myself surveying the area, of all the people in the crowd I wondered how many had commited a crime, most, I suspected. Although the amount that would consider themselves criminals would be much less. That was the difference between me and them, I know I'm a criminal, I can't change it, I don't want to.

So wrapped up in my own thoughts I was I'd barely noticed that people had stopped cheering and started screaming the band came to an abrupt halt as a large bang echoed through Yankee Stadium.

The rest of the night was a mess. He'd taken the entire building hostage, made a live announcement to the Batman and murdered the lead singer of whatever band had been playing.

Joker was in New York and I couldn't get enough. You should've seen the fear in everyone's eyes, that's fear you can't buy. That's respect. That's what I wanted, that's who I wanted to roll with.

That's who I wanted to be.

He was getting bored with waiting, you could see it in his face. Just as the silence had grown insufferable he spoke up.

"The first person to make me laugh wins." He said. One man spoke up, don't know what he said but it apparently didn't agree with Joker. Casually blowing the guy's brains all over the person behind him he stood back up to the stage.

"Anyone?"He called again, I rose to my feet, almost without thinking and made my way down to the front.

Coughing to get the man's attention I began my joke, I had no idea what I was doing. To me, it was following orders.

"So there was these two guys in an Asylum..." I began as Joker looked down at me. "One night they plan an escape, they go up to the roof and look down at a narrow gap between it and the buildings opposite. One of the guys makes his jump to freedom easy enough but the other? The other's scared, doesn't think he can make the gap. When he tells the first guy this he says: "Wait, I got my flashlight, I'll shine my light over the gap and you can cross." The other guy just looks at him for a sec before answering. He says: "What you think I am man, crazy? You'll turn the light off when I'm only halfway across!"..."

 

[Keyser Soze]

The good thing about the sewers of Gotham... the only good thing... is that there's nobody here to see me. Up there, on the surface, no matter where I went, I saw that look. Horror and disgust, pity and fear. I saw it in their eyes, in the eyes of all the people I rushed past as I fleed from the hospital. I went to the Narrows, tried to bury myself in the grimiest depths of despair, but even there, even amongst those lost souls, they would look at my face, and I saw it in their eyes. Pity and fear, and pity and fear, and pity and fear...

So I got away. From all of them. And now I'm down here, wandering in the sewers, amongst the filth and the waste. This is how far I've sunk. This is how low they've brought me.

I crouch down on the cold stone paving under my feet, knuckled buried into my forehead. What am I going to do? I take out my coin, spin it in between my fingers. As if this will tell me anything. Both sides are the same. Both sides are the same! Fate has complete control over me, there's nothing I can do that can change the path set out for me. A path of pain, and failure, and despair...

No! Now's not the time for self-pity. I'm not going to crawl up into a corner and die down here, in the sewers. That's what they want me to do. But I have to protect my wife. I have to keep my promise to this city! I look down at the coin. Both sides the same...

In a mad fit of delirious inspiration, I slap the coin down flat on the ground, and pushing down on it as hard as I can, start grinding against the stone. Grinding, grinding, scraping into the coin's surface. It's building up heat from friction, I'm starting to cut into the skin of my fingertips. And finally, I stop. I pick up the coin, lift it up to eye level. I look at the side that had been facing up. Heads, the same as always. But then I rotate the coin around, look at the other side. This head has been left scarred, scratches and scores all along the surface, the silver worn down to a charred black. The two sides aren't the same anymore.

"Yes..."

If I can't escape fate... I'll be its agent.

 

[Green Lantern]

He's getting good. After what happened the last time we faced the Joker, I almost wish Robin would stay behind. But I'm going to need him.

I punch my code into one of the mini-vaults built into a cave wall. "Help me with this." Robin gives me a look like I'm a little crazy. "Trust me, we're going to need these. We only have a few hours to get to New York and save those people."

"But,sir, the Joker said you only need to appear on camera," Alfred says as he descends into the cave.

"And then he blows himself up, taking everyone with him. The last thing I'm going to do is give the Joker what he wants." Robin and I finish loading the equipment into the batmobile before jumping in.

"Buckle in tight. Because I'm not slowing down."

Robin slides in to the passenger seat, strapping into the racing harness that he had to use for a seatbelt in this car.

"Atomic Batteries to power, turbines to speed, Batman. Let's rock and roll!"

Robin hit a button on the dash and AC/DC's "Back in Black" blared from the speakers of the car.

 

[wiegeabo]

Robin slides in to the passenger seat, strapping into the racing harness that he had to use for a seatbelt in this car.

"Atomic Batteries to power, turbines to speed, Batman. Let's rock and roll!"

Robin hit a button on the dash and AC/DC's "Back in Black" blared from the speakers of the car.

I glare at Robin and he looks at me with a huge grin starting to move with the beat.

Glare.

The smile drops and he flips the music off. I slam the accelerator home, the force slamming Robin hard against his seat, taking the breath out of him. I stare straight ahead, covering my small smile.

The Gotham night whips by us as I make the turn to New York City. Three hours. I've done it in far less time. And that was also because of the Joker. I saved that man, and the Joker ended up killing him anyway. I'm not going to let that happen again.

We drive in silence for a few minutes, which is unusual. There's still some tension between us. Robin thinks I betrayed him.

"I had my reasons." Robin looks at me with a question. "Why I chose Logan to Batman."

 

[Green Lantern]

I glare at Robin and he looks at me with a huge grin starting to move with the beat.

Glare.

The smile drops and he flips the music off. I slam the accelerator home, the force slamming Robin hard against his seat, taking the breath out of him. I stare straight ahead, covering my small smile.

The Gotham night whips by us as I make the turn to New York City. Three hours. I've done it in far less time. And that was also because of the Joker. I saved that man, and the Joker ended up killing him anyway. I'm not going to let that happen again.

We drive in silence for a few minutes, which is unusual. There's still some tension between us. Robin thinks I betrayed him.

"I had my reasons." Robin looks at me with a question. "Why I chose Logan to Batman."

He wants to talk about this NOW?

"What? Joker wasn't availible? He's sadistic Bruce."

Robin stares ahead to the highway.

"I'm just upset that you didn't think I could handle myself. Thanks for the vote of confidence."

 

[Carnage27]

For the past hour after Magneto's announcement I've been trying to teach myself to hone my powers. I've only got three days, and if Kal isn't going to be here to teach me, I'll do it myself. I'm roused from my thoughts when my face slams hard into the soil of Ma and Pa's fields.

I just had to start with flying didn't I?
​

I get a running start and push as hard as I can of the ground, which sends me hurtling into the sky yet again, and pose myself like the pictures I've seen of Clark.

I don't have much hope...but I'm not falling.

"I'm doing it! Hahaha! I've-WHOA!" I exclaim as I go from levitating to falling.

I hit the ground, and skip to a stop.

"Well...it's a start."

 

[Mercy]

Gotham Girls
I

Pamela coughed violently, she snatched the diary and chucked it on the floor. She grabbed Emma by the neck.
"I've changed Pamela, let me go"
"YOU DESTROYED MY LIFE! NOW BATMAN HAS GONE AND MADE IT WORSE!" Pamela tried to cry but she wasn't human now, plants had no proper emotions. Pamela was filled with lust, desire, she was a sinner, no longer the perfect girl, the saint, she was, as the people call it, a vixen.
Vicki Vale ran forward, she could see a once happy life gone down the drain.
"Pamela, doing this won't make anything better, kidnapping me, strangling an X-Men member, hunting down Elektra, please, just let go of Emma and stop" Vicki pleaded, Pamela turned to Vicki, she released Emma and grabbed Vicki, running towards the window. She muttered something under her breath, she then opened her mouth and spoke.
"No one tells me what to do, no one tells---"
Pamela shoved Vicki out the open window, Vicki screaming.
"---POISON IVY WHAT TO DO!"
​

 

[wiegeabo]

He wants to talk about this NOW?

"What? Joker wasn't availible? He's sadistic Bruce."

Robin stares ahead to the highway.

"I'm just upset that you didn't think I could handle myself. Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I think you can handle yourself. But you can't handle the city. Not alone." I let the statement hang for a moment as I execute a sharp turn and start weaving through the much slower traffic on our way to New York. I make a mental note to come up with a faster way to travel these distances. I can't very well drive everywhere outside of Gotham.

"I chose Wolverine for three reasons. First, he's very experienced. I haven't been able to dig up much on his past, but he has the skill. Second-" I slam down the accelerator to whip through two semi-trucks before they change lanes next to each other. "Second, he's frightening. The first weapon in our arsenal is fear, and he can generate it. Possibly better than me. What do you think happens to our reputation among the criminals if Batman is gunned down, yet gets right back up, and attacks with claws that extend from his hands? And that's the third, and most important reason. He's invulnerable."

Robin looks at me. "You don't think I'd put anyone as untrained as Logan in the field without a backup plan, do you? I knew he'd eventually be hurt because he doesn't know Gotham. Not like we do."

 

[Green Lantern]

"I think you can handle yourself. But you can't handle the city. Not alone." I let the statement hang for a moment as I execute a sharp turn and start weaving through the much slower traffic on our way to New York. I make a mental note to come up with a faster way to travel these distances. I can't very well drive everywhere outside of Gotham.

"I chose Wolverine for three reasons. First, he's very experienced. I haven't been able to dig up much on his past, but he has the skill. Second-" I slam down the accelerator to whip through two semi-trucks before they change lanes next to each other. "Second, he's frightening. The first weapon in our arsenal is fear, and he can generate it. Possibly better than me. What do you think happens to our reputation among the criminals if Batman is gunned down, yet gets right back up, and attacks with claws that extend from his hands? And that's the third, and most important reason. He's invulnerable."

Robin looks at me. "You don't think I'd put anyone as untrained as Logan in the field without a backup plan, do you? I knew he'd eventually be hurt because he doesn't know Gotham. Not like we do."

Robin continues to stare at Batman, and his shoulders slump. "What would have happened if he crossed the line, Bruce? Because he could have. How would your conscience have taken it if he had killed someone as Batman?"

Dick turned to look out the window at the passing scenery.

 

[wiegeabo]

Robin continues to stare at Batman, and his shoulders slump. "What would have happened if he crossed the line, Bruce? Because he could have. How would your conscience have taken it if he had killed someone as Batman?"

Dick turned to look out the window at the passing scenery.

"I thought about that. After what he did to my shoulder during the mutant benefit, I gave it serious thought. But I knew there was one thing that would keep him in check. You." I glance over at Robin. "You do it for me, I knew you could do it for him."

 

[Blacklight]

The Brightest Day...
Act 1: The Date​

Today was a very good day for Kyle Rayner, better known as the superhero Green Lantern...

After a good time at the carnival, Kyle Rayner and his girlfriend Crystal had retired to Kyle's rather disorderly apartment. As it was he had forgot to pay the rent last week during the case that whole Mongul fiasco, but he didn't worry, because he just wanted to rest and spend time with the girl he had feelings for. Besides, he had new plans that he wanted to tell her that would resolve that problem anyways...

"I had a great time, Kyle..."

"Me too, Crystal, but I've been thinking..."

"Really? About what?"

"I've been thinking about moving..."

"To where? Attilan?"

"No... Los Angeles actually."

"Why there? You don't like New York?"

"No, I do, but it's hard to find good work here anymore... I think that if I moved to LA it would be better for my art career..."

"Well anything you want to do, I'll be right there by your side, Kyle."

"Thanks, Crystal. You don't know how much that means to me... I... I love you..."

She was surprised by his choice of words. It was the first time he's said them to her.

"D-Do you mean that?"

"Yes... I mean, we've been going out for a while now, and every time we have has made me the happiest man on earth."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I... I love you too, Kyle."

The pair then embraced each other and kissed each other, signifying the truths in each others words, and that they truly were ready to take their relationship to the next level...

Act Two: The Call​

Despite him thinking that he was the luckiest guy in his sector, it was what happened a few hours earlier that really gave him the idea that everything in his life was starting to come together, because Ganthet had summoned him to his chambers in the Attilinian palace with good news.

"You summoned me, Ganthet?"

"Yes. I have great news regarding the new Central Power battery. It is finished." Ganthet stated, his voice and expression as stoic as it ever was.

"Really? Does this finally mean we can find Hal?"

"No. Jordan no longer possesses a power ring, which means he still cannot be located as of now. But other Lanterns lost in when Galactus had destroyed Oa can be located, however..."

"Alright. Let's start ths baby up, then..."

With that Ganthet held out his palm and out of nowhere, Hal Jordan's ring had materialized from thin air, and in a shroud of emerald energy, it floated to the middle of the giant lantern, and once inside, a massive green light came through it and filled the room to Kyle's amazement and Ganthet's expectance...

"Cool..."

"There. It is complete... And as I expected, there are very few, but still a number of Power Ring signatures that are still active..."

Act Three: The Initiative
​

After Crystal had taken her leave back to Attilan, Kyle was truly happy. He was with a woman who he truly loved, and loved him back. He was yet another big step closer to helping Ganthet rebuild the Green Lantern Corps. and he was going to move to Los Angeles to help boost his career.

What could go wrong? he thought... until his cell phine began to ring...

BRIIING!! BRRRIIIIIIINNNGG!!!

"Hello..." he answered.

"Yes. Is this Kyle Rayner?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"Who I am is not important. But who you are on the other hand is..."

"What are you talking about?" Kyle asked, worried it could be about his costumed identity.

"I know you are actually the Green Lantern, and that you parade New York fighting villains from outer space..."

"What!? I don't know what you're talking about... Who is this!?!" Kyle asked alarmed that his suspicions were correct. This was definately quite the predicament that someone knows his secret, and if people found out, it would not be good for him. And his day was going out so well...

"My name is Amanda Waller, and I'm calling with the chance to tell you that I'm putting together a team of the world's mightiest heroes to help make the world a safer place. A team that can take on threats that no single hero can face alone..."

"A... team?"

"Yes. Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern, how would you like to take part in the Avenger Initiative?"



As it turned out, the day still turned out to be a good day for Kyle Rayner, the Last Green Lantern...

 

[wiegeabo]

"I've been doing great. Got to spend time with the family, take some time off. It felt really good..."

Superman then thought about how good it's been since he's been visiting Smallville. No villains, no out of control trains, no giant planet-devouring aliens... Nope. Just him, Ma, Pa, and Kara.

His family...

"Anyways, how's life on your end, Jay?

I have this sudden urge to just start talking about everything. What Nick did to Tony. What Tony did to Dinah. How my relationship with both have been strained. How the League hasn't really been much of a team. And how much I've been missing Barry. The man who's as close to a son as I've ever had.

But, instead, I try and keep the conversation more neutral. At least until everyone has a chance to arrive. "Joan and I are doing good. We still miss Ba-the Flash. We were close to him. But we're carrying on the best we can. Keystone's keeping me busy as always."

 

[Blacklight]

I have this sudden urge to just start talking about everything. What Nick did to Tony. What Tony did to Dinah. How my relationship with both have been strained. How the League hasn't really been much of a team. And how much I've been missing Barry. The man who's as close to a son as I've ever had.

But, instead, I try and keep the conversation more neutral. At least until everyone has a chance to arrive. "Joan and I are doing good. We still miss Ba-the Flash. We were close to him. But we're carrying on the best we can. Keystone's keeping me busy as always."

"I know the feeling. Metropolis hasn't been exactly quiet lately, but at least it seems calm at the moment. I'm sorry about the Flash, by the way. He was a true hero..." the Man of Steel assured his friend.

 

[Matt Murdock]

The SHIELD landing craft lands outside the Brownstone grounds and I head inside, Stevel following behind me. When I get inside, I head straight for the old communications room. Steve watches as I open one of the drawers and pull out the communicator.

I glance back at Steve and he nods. "It's the right thing. I still support Nick, but they need to know. To make up their own minds."

I agree, but still hesitate. I'm not sure who will come. Who will listen. And what they'll decide. But there's no point in putting it off.

***

In a farmhouse in the the town of Smallville, Kansas, a small device beeps...

***

An old fighter picks one of his students up from the mat after just putting him there with a quick punch. In his office, he faintly hears beeping...

***

In a small, well-kept home, the table drawer beeps. An older woman opens the drawer and picks up the noisy little piece of equipment. She answers it, then turns to call up the stairs.

"Dinah, it's for you..."

***

A world-hardened man sips at another cup of tea, looking out the window of his home at the children playing in the street. He ponders the life he could have had, and looks at the picture on his fireplace mantle of the family he did have. A beeping from his bedroom pulls him into the present. He answers the call, slightly clinching the fist that wears his green ring...

***

Outside a Gotham home, a certain friendly neighborhood webslinger gets a call from a device he only carries out of habit...

***

Star City's golden boy was tying his bowtie, admiring himself in the mirror, and thinking about the night ahead with the Swedish supermodel he met. A beeping interrupts his rather risque thoughts and it takes him a moment to track the sound down.

Opening the secret compartment, he finds the offending contraption next to his bow. He picks it up and examines it before casually tossing it back into the compartment. "Yeah, right..."

***

In a cold, hidden cave on the outskirts of Gotham City, an unanswered beeping fills the area. But not even the bats stir at the sound...

***

In the middle of a fight with some type of creature she's never seen before, the amazon answer the call on the device given to her so long ago.

"...I'm quite busy at the moment," she wraps her lasso around the creature's neck, "...but I will be there when I can."

***

Inside the advanced armor of a brilliant billionaire, a beeping signals the upcoming meeting...

***

I put the device away. "Well, that's almost all of them." We walk out into the main room.

"Some of them should be here soon."

"And I doubt any of them will be happy."

Season III

Spider-Man swung through the rooftops of Gotham. Over alleys, under skybridges, around helicopters, straight for the Brownstone.

The teenage superhero had a snarl on under his mask. Why? Of all nights, why tonight? It had better have been good. No, not good. Earth-shattering. No, bigger than that even. The fate of the universe itself, the fabric of reality, had better have been in peril. Pluto had to be hurtling towards Jupiter, which was imploding, as Dinosaurs began repopulating the earth and machines became self-aware.
I was this close! Spider-Man roared in his own head as he landed on a balcony in the brownstone and crawled inside.

"LUCY!" He cried angrily through the building, signaling his arrival, "You've got some 'splainin' to do!"
​

 

[Blacklight]

"LUCY!" He cried angrily through the building, signaling his arrival, "You've got some 'splainin' to do!"​

"Ah, Spider-Man... Glad you could make it. What happened to your new costume?" Superman asked the wallcrawler as he looked up to find him crawling on the Brownstone ceiling.

 

[Blacklight]

Logan just walks off, almost in a world of his own, and I enter the mansion.

I've only been in America for a few months, but already I feel more at home here than any other place in the world. No one looks at me like I'm a monster, no one runs from me, and even better, they're my friends.

"Hey, Kurt, it's good to see you comrade!" Pete Rasputin, aka Colossus, yells when he sees me.

A huge smile comes across my face and I return his greeting with a wave, "Guten tag, Pete! Ve vill catch up later!"

Right now I am looking for my favorite teacher at the school. Someone who knows what it's like to look different.



I open Dr. McCoy's office door, and he and Scott Summers look up from the TV at me.

"Ah, I am sorry to interrupt. I just vanted to say hi professor."

"Hello to you, Mr. Wagner. Pleasure to see you are back from your trip to Gotham."

"Ja. It feels good to be back."

It certainly was weird seeing Kurt back after not seeing him in so long. I think I should ask him how it was in Gotham...

"So, Kurt. How was your trip? Where's Logan?"

 

[Carnage27]

"Hello to you, Mr. Wagner. Pleasure to see you are back from your trip to Gotham."

"Ja. It feels good to be back."

It certainly was weird seeing Kurt back after not seeing him in so long. I think I should ask him how it was in Gotham...

"So, Kurt. How was your trip? Where's Logan?"

"Vell, Scott, Gotham was interesting, to say zhe least..."

*****

Scott and I are walking the grounds and I finish my story. I tell him everything, from saving Harvey Dent's wife, to working with Batman, Robin, Kitty, and Starfire, and finally our battle to bring down Cobblepot.

"Can you believe it? The Batman. And you should have seen Logan in his 'Darkclaw' costume," just as I mention his name Logan comes sprinting up to the two of us, and something looks wrong.

"Logan...vhat's wrong?"
​

 

[trustyside-kick]

OOC: Previously...

Parking his car, he begins to walk down a stone walkway through an arced overpass through a small garden. Katar is surely amazed at the site before him as he passes through. He begins to feel secure, safe...most importantly tranquil and at peace. His mind has been at near unrest in trying to figure everything. So being a peace with himself is the best thing going for him right now.

Walking as though nothing unusual occurs, Katar is actually following the directions that Professor Charles Xavier projects into his mind. However when your lifelong friend--in the literal sense--for all your time on Earth has been a Green Martian you are used to such pyschic and telepathic oddities.

He makes his way around the corner, and suddenly stops.

Just a moment...and...

Suddenly the basketball court that Katar stopped in front of seems to shift and move. The basketball hoops themselves disappear into the ground below them it seems, and the pavement opens up, with a staircase at the center of the court.

Proceed.

Katar enters through one of the secret passageways, and begins to travel a sort of underground tunnel. But it is no mere dirt and rock tunnel, but rather a neatly crafted silver metal one. As he travels down his way, he passes by several hallways with large shaped "X's" on the doors at the end of the hall.

Thanagarian technology is more advanced moreso than any Earthling, but what awaits Katar will truly astonish him and put him at great awe. The Professor's instructions finally cease, and the larged "X" shaped door opens up, revealing a man in a wheelchair.

"Welcome, Katar Hol. Welcome...to Cerebro."

"Fascinating."

Katar starts to walk down the path into the spherical room, and large "X"-shaped doors shut.

 

[Matt Murdock]

"Ah, Spider-Man... Glad you could make it. What happened to your new costume?" Superman asked the wallcrawler as he looked up to find him crawling on the Brownstone ceiling.

Season III

Spider-Man put his hands on his hips and stood awkwardly as Superman spoke to him.

Don't say something stupid. Don't say something stupid. Spider-Man commanded himself. Oh man... You're talking to Superman!

"We, uh..." Spider-Man began, but didn't really know what to say. The ordeal with his black costume had taken quite a toll on him. "I just preferred my old look. What's going on here? Any special reason I was called away from nearly getting laid?"
​

 

[Mercy]

Gotham Girls
I

Pamela coughed violently, she snatched the diary and chucked it on the floor. She grabbed Emma by the neck.
"I've changed Pamela, let me go"
"YOU DESTROYED MY LIFE! NOW BATMAN HAS GONE AND MADE IT WORSE!" Pamela tried to cry but she wasn't human now, plants had no proper emotions. Pamela was filled with lust, desire, she was a sinner, no longer the perfect girl, the saint, she was, as the people call it, a vixen.
Vicki Vale ran forward, she could see a once happy life gone down the drain.
"Pamela, doing this won't make anything better, kidnapping me, strangling an X-Men member, hunting down Elektra, please, just let go of Emma and stop" Vicki pleaded, Pamela turned to Vicki, she released Emma and grabbed Vicki, running towards the window. She muttered something under her breath, she then opened her mouth and spoke.
"No one tells me what to do, no one tells---"
Pamela shoved Vicki out the open window, Vicki screaming.
"---POISON IVY WHAT TO DO!"
​

Gotham Girls
II
Under the spell

Vicki twirled in the air, screaming, she thought she was going to die, but she thought wrong. Maggie Sawyer had a team of S.W.A.T with her. Vicki landed on a mat that was put there by Sawyer. Vicki Vale had injuries on her back and neck from the impact, Paramedics running over to her. Emma and Poison Ivy stood in a room, Emma in shock.
"You saw it right Frost, I killed her"
"You've got that quite wrong Isley, I can still read her thought's she's survived" Emma explained as she sat down on a rotten old chair. Then, Catwoman came bursting through the door, puffing.
"Elektra, she's tough"
Poison Ivy flicked her wrist and the vines ripped off from around Catwoman, Catwoman leaped for the window, only to stop and see the S.W.A.T team.
"Oops, wrong way"
Poison Ivy seemed confused, she ran to the window and growled, she saw Maggie Sawyer and the S.W.A.T team.
"Remember Maggie Parker from collage? I contacted her, you need help, by being put away in Arkham Asylum"
Emma Frost explained, she sighed, she created this mess, she had to finish it. Catwoman stood, frozen, she was stuck, Poison Ivy had realized Catwoman had not come back with Elektra.

"Elektra? Where is she!?"
Catwoman hesitated to answer, her lips shook as she answered, she didn't want to be a plant or anything creepy like that, not now at least.
"I tied her up downstairs, you can go see her now"
"I may have never of met you before..."

"...But I can always tell when someone is pretending"
Catwoman fell to the floor. Emma shot up and was going to reveal the truth.
"She's not pretending, she's just protecting her, she loves Bruce and doesn't want to see anything happen to her, it's like a celebrity stalker crush basically, a bit like you with Orlando Bloom"
Poison Ivy turned to Emma and smacked her as well.
"Don't try and be good Emma, I know what a real mutant monster you are, now get away before I kill you!" There was no real point in shooting Emma out the window with a vine, with Emma's diamond powers she could snap the vine, which was part of Poison Ivy. Emma walked over to the window, she gave a signal of some sort and turned back to Poison Ivy. She had sadness in her eyes, but hid it, trying to be brave.
"Is Elektra here?" Poison Ivy asked with horrible anger in her voice. Catwoman just rubbed her cheek. Catwoman slowly got up.
"Being Catwoman is just too much! I need to go back to being Catburglar" Catwoman sighed, she slowly stepped back as Emma grabbed Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy's hair flickered in the draft from the window. Emma slowly let go of Poison Ivy. Emma tied her hair back and took off her white long coat.

She frowned down at herself, she didn't want what had happened in the past to happen. That was all Shaw's fault, but Pamela would never forgive her, not after Liz, not after her mother. But that was the thing, Emma had forgiven Pamela over killing her mother, but I guess Emma didn't really like her family, the reason for running to Shaw. Emma knew Poison Ivy spoke right, not wrong, that she was raised evil and this good mutant persona she has, will ware off, maybe her true colours will show sometime, but not in front of Poison Ivy, not when Renee Montoya was coming up, armed and deadly.

"I'm not meant to be saying this, but, Renee Montoya is coming up, with a mate, with Elektra and Elektra wants to know what's going on, but Renee doesn't she wants you, down, like Maggie. So now I give you a chance, take my hand, leave with me and this will all be over, please I know a great man called Charles Xavier--"
"I met that crazy old man, thank you" Poison Ivy muttered under her breath. Poison Ivy walked over to the open door and shut it, she then turned to Emma, expecting her to finish, but Emma didn't speak, just held out her hand. This was inconvenient, that Emma and Pamela had crossed paths again, but Emma saw it as a chance, a chance to take Pamela in.
Poison Ivy stretched out her arm, she walked towards Emma, when...

"Mind-warping b****" Poison Ivy grabbed Emma's hand and flipped her over, then slamming her into the wall. Emma had no time to shift into Diamond form. Catwoman tumbled backwards and made herself steady again, she ran for the door, but Poison Ivy spotted her.
Poison Ivy chuckled, a hint of a sinister tone in the chuckle. Ivy shot out her arm, a thick poison ivy vine shooting towards Catwoman. The vine hit her and slammed her against the door. The vines slowly wrapped around Catwoman and stuck to the door. Catwoman was stuck on the back of the door, a vine had spread to the door knob and wrapped around it, very tightly. Emma rubbed her head, she seemed to send out a telepathic message to someone. Emma then slowly formed into her Diamond form and got up, walking towards Poison Ivy and grabbing her by the neck.
"This ends, now!" Emma demanded, she heard Renee Montoya. Poison Ivy grinned an evil grin, she had officially turned to a villainess.
​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

"We, uh..." Spider-Man began, but didn't really know what to say. The ordeal with his black costume had taken quite a toll on him. "I just preferred my old look. What's going on here? Any special reason I was called away from nearly getting laid?"​

"Language, young man." I say as I step out of the shadows, my shield on my back.

"We've called this meeting to discuss our so-called alliance with S.H.I.E.L.D."

I look over at Jay and then back at Superman and Spider-Man.

"Glad you two could make it, it's good to know someone other than us two old men believe in this group."