One Universe: Season III IC Thread

[wiegeabo]

"So-called alliance?" a familiar voice says from the rear entrance. We turn to see Ted walk out from the kitchen, ubiquitous beer in his hand and another old friend by his side.

I smile. "Wildcat, GL. Good to see you both."

"Good to be here, Jay," Alan says.

"Yeah, yeah. We're all still buddy buddy. How 'bout we get back to the part where Mr. USA's britches are all bunched up over his favorite little organization."

"I'd rather wait for the others to show up. We're waiting on Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Black Canary, and Batman. Although I'm not really counting one the last three," I say with a small sigh.

"Oh, I wouldn't speak too soon." My face instantly brightens at the sound of Dinah's voice. We hadn't spoken in a long time, and not for lack of trying on my part. I'm not sure what made her decide to show up today, but I'm glad she did.

"So, how long do you want to wait?"

 

[Blacklight]

He looked down the shaft of the bootle, staring at the liquid courage inside, but as the communications relay in his suit persistantly alerted him that the League was calling, Tony Stark came to a realization...

He couldn't do it...

"Ah screw it..." he muttered to himself, chucking the bottle across the room to have it shatter on the opposite wall. He had come this far, and he didn't want to ruin it. Not if Dinah would throw away all they had if he did. No. Instead, he was going to do something else he told himself he wouldn't do...

Getting up from the chair he sat in and replacing his helmet back on his head, the heads-up display popped back up right before Tony's eyes, and he let his boots and flight stabilizers glow with energy.

"Divert energy from repulsors to thrusters. Increase thrust to 30%. Set navigations to the Brownstone..."

His suit then reconfigurated the neccessary systems, and in moments he took of through the skylight in his office and back into the skies of New York, because he was going to answer the call. He wanted to be there. He wanted to see Dinah and the rest of the League. He wanted to tell them what SHIELD did to him. To show them who they truly were... Or at least try.

* * *​

"Yeah, yeah. We're all still buddy buddy. How 'bout we get back to the part where Mr. USA's britches are all bunched up over his favorite little organization."

"I'd rather wait for the others to show up. We're waiting on Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Black Canary, and Batman. Although I'm not really counting one the last three," I say with a small sigh.

"Oh, I wouldn't speak too soon." My face instantly brightens at the sound of Dinah's voice. We hadn't spoken in a long time, and not for lack of trying on my part. I'm not sure what made her decide to show up today, but I'm glad she did.

"So, how long do you want to wait?"

Tony had navigated the halls and corridors with relative ease thanks to his state-of-the-art navigations unit. It wasn't long before he bursted through the door, to everyone's, especially Jay and Steve's collective shock...

He centered himself and felt as his boosters in his boots powered down, and his metallic soles clanked on the wood floor.

"Not much longer, I hope. We have alot to discuss..."

 

[Blacklight]

Everyone turned to the armored billionaire, and the Man of Steel was the first to approach the Man in steel.

"Ah, Tony... Still have a taste for the theatric, I see?"

"Well, I haven't had that good of a day so far, Superman..."

"I can tell." Superman assured him.

"Oh you have no idea, but I would like to tell you considering the reason why has to do with SHIELD. Isn't that right, Jay?"

Clark then turned to Jay, as did everyone...

"Jay, what's he talking about? What happened?"

 

[Green Lantern]

"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."

Dick looked a little shocked, but couldn't help the smile from forming as realization hit him. It wasn't that Bruce didn't trust him. It was that he trusted and respected Dick too much to leave him such a burden. Keeping one man, even as dangerously violent as Logan, in check was easier to do than keeping an entire city.

"We there yet?"

 

[wiegeabo]

Dick looked a little shocked, but couldn't help the smile from forming as realization hit him. It wasn't that Bruce didn't trust him. It was that he trusted and respected Dick too much to leave him such a burden. Keeping one man, even as dangerously violent as Logan, in check was easier to do than keeping an entire city.

"We there yet?"

A sign passes over head in a blue with the words New York City on it. "Yes." I yank the wheel hard, screeching the car to catch the exit leading into the city. We hit the empty streets, likely evacuated by the police once Joker made his threat. I give silent thanks and push the accelerator to it's limit.

"Remember. Stick to the plan. No matter what, the innocents come first." Yankee Stadium looms ahead and I set the batmobile into silent mode before we get there. Can't risk the Joker or his men seeing or hearing us.

Pulling up quickly to what's probably the only patch of darkness near the well lit stadium, we exit the car and grab the equipment. then quietly make our way to the nearest entrance.

"Ready?"

 

[Carnage27]

Magneto had finished his speech, and was ready to put his plan in motion. He stands and walks into the War Room, where his lieutenants were gathered.

"Duh, every major city boss? Thought we were just gonna attack-"

"I know what I said, Blob. We must keep the heroes on their toes. If they all came to where we were headed, they may be able to stop us."

"Doh, I get it."

Magneto sneers and turns his attention to Mystique, "Assemble the troops. I wish to speak with them."

"Of course, Erik."

The day was finally coming when Magneto would have his great victory, and if he had his way...one of Earth's greatest heroes would fall in the process.
​

 

[Green Lantern]

A sign passes over head in a blue with the words New York City on it. "Yes." I yank the wheel hard, screeching the car to catch the exit leading into the city. We hit the empty streets, likely evacuated by the police once Joker made his threat. I give silent thanks and push the accelerator to it's limit.

"Remember. Stick to the plan. No matter what, the innocents come first." Yankee Stadium looms ahead and I set the batmobile into silent mode before we get there. Can't risk the Joker or his men seeing or hearing us.

Pulling up quickly to what's probably the only patch of darkness near the well lit stadium, we exit the car and grab the equipment. then quietly make our way to the nearest entrance.

"Ready?"

Dick felt his lunch dislodge as Bruce had careened off the freeway into New York.

"Holy second hand tacos Batman."

Arriving infront of the Stadium on an empty street in what is normally the city that never sleeps, was an eerie feeling. The only thing creepier was the madman waiting for them inside.

"Ready?"

"Ready Freddie, crazy little thing called love..." Dick sang back with a grin. Even facing the Joker doesn't dampen his spirits.

"You take the low road, I'll take the high road, pilgrim!"

Dick shot a line up over the wall of the stadium and clicked the button to reel in the line, sending him zooming up to the upperdecks.

As he glided up the zipcord he heard two men talking.

"So you thinks he's actually gonna go through wid it?"

"Wouldn't be surprized, f***ers's crazy."

Robin bounded over the wall of the stadium and sprung into a handstand kicking both thugs simultaneously.

"Whats that say about you? You idiots threw in with him!"

 

[wiegeabo]

Robin shoots himself into the air and I smirk. It's not the time for jokes. We're entering a serious situation. And yet...he can still make me smile.

I put a small flashlight in my mouth as I quickly work the padlock chaining the door shut. Stealth is required now, there won't be time for it later. The lock falls away in seven seconds. A new personal best.

I pull the chain away, stashing the light in my belt, and open the door. I slip inside, clinging to the shadows as I start to silently run towards my destination. But I can't run far before I encounter my first obstacle.

Doors leading into the stadium. Of course, it's not the doors that are the problem, it's the chains sealing the door shut. It would probably only take me a few seconds to open them as I did the others. But the chance of one of Joker's men finding them is too high. No, I need to stick to the plan just like I told Robin. So a pull out one of the small devices from the pack I carry and plant it on the lock, activating it. Then start running to the next door.

And the next...

And the next...

It take less than five minutes for me to finish the first floor. Longer than I hoped. And Robin and I still have to cover the rest. I've just been lucky that-

"How long till the boss lights this place up?"

"Prob'ly till he gets bored. So the Batman better show-"

Three strikes and the men are on the ground. I pull them into a bathroom to keep them out of sight. Guess my luck's run out. It'll get harder from this point.

Still, I push on, making my way to the pressbox...

 

[wiegeabo]

I run down the corridor. Three days. Not gonna be much time. It doesn't take me long to reach the control room. I activate the comms.

"This is Logan. I want the following to report to the Danger Room immediately. Hank McCoy, Scott Summers, Rogue, Kurt Wagner, Jean Grey, Bobby Drake, and Warren Worthington."

I can imagine the confusion running through the school right now. But that's not our problem. No, we've got something much bigger to worry about now. And not much time to prepare for it.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

My name is Wally West.

I am the Flash. The Fastest Man Alive.

....and it's been a slooooow couple of weeks.

Wally West had just finished three entire pizzas, his superhumanly fast metabolism once again playing tricks on him. He felt his stomach rumble, clammoring for more food and he glanced over to his fridge.

"Nah." he finally resigned to being perpetually 'kind of hungry', and his eyes returned to the TV screen.

It had been two weeks since The Flash had last done battle with a costumed villain, and even though muggers and bank robbers provided the occasional thrill, Wally couldn't help but feel...well....bored.

"Nope...Nuh-uh...No...Nein...Niet..." Wally droned as he flicked through channel after channel, unable to find anything remotely interesting.

Captain Cold. Heat Wave. Mirror Master. Weather Wizard.

As his fights with each of them ran through his head, he remembered the thrill of standing over them when he defeated them. Watching them, once so big and strong, threatening innocent people, brought down to the ground was intensely satisfying. A feeling even the most foul-mouthed mugger couldn't match. Because really, how often can one dodge a bullet before it gets old?

"I am a superhero." Wally cried out to his empty apartment. "I shouldn't be this boooooooored!"

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Well, there's another two hours gone.

Wally felt like the day would never end. Not one single police siren had been heard the entire day, and not one breaking news report of a robbery. For a moment, Wally wondered if he was just that good. Had crime rates dropped a 100% in his tenure as the Flash?

A very real possibility, he thought, judging by the lack of action.

On the brightside, he thought as he slumped back down in his couch, he had learned how to make three separate cakes on the Cooking Channel. His mind wandered to when he was a child, and a normal one at that. Joan, Jay's wife, would always have her pies ready for when Barry and he visited. God, he could just smell them now.

Man, I haven't seen Jay and Joan in.....wow.

His mouth almost dropped when he realized how long it had been. Sure they exchanged a call or two every 3 months, but Wally realized he hadn't even talked to Jay about...well, becoming the Flash.
Did Jay even know?

Taking any opportunity to leave the house, it didn't even take Wally a microsecond before he had slipped on the crimson tights, and a red blur shot through Keystone City once again.

----

An hour and 30 minutes later, Wally West was standing outside one of the most famous buildings in the world.

He had stayed at Joan's way longer than he expected, but if there was one thing Wally couldn't say no to, it was pie. He stared up at the astounding piece of architecture in front of him and put the last piece of Joan's pie into his mouth.
Judging by Joan's ecstatic reaction, her crying, and her speech about how Barry would be proud, Wally could only hope Jay would feel the same way. The nervousness almost caused him to completely forget the speech he had prepared for Jay, so he ran over it a few hundred times in his head, just to be sure.

Walking, not running, to the door, Wally could swear that if he wasn't chewing on the piece of pie, his teeth would be clattering.
Finally, after what seemed like a thousand years, the door opened. As the pie slid down his throat, Wally made what was possibly the loudest gulping sound of all time.

"Can I help you, son?"

SPEAK, YOU FOOL, SPEAK!

"I..uuhh...I...I..."

USE YOUR WORDS!

"Is...uhm...Is Jay here?"

 

[Byrd Man]

​

While Jay explains everything to those uninformed, I excuse myself as I hear a noise at the front of the Brownstone.

I turn the corner to see the man who also calls himself the Flash.

"Can I help you, son?"

SPEAK, YOU FOOL, SPEAK!

"I..uuhh...I...I..."

USE YOUR WORDS!

"Is...uhm...Is Jay here?"

I smile and nod.

"Yes, follow me. You're just in time for the meeting." I say as I start to walk back towards the conference room. Halfway there, something odd hits me.

"Wait a minute...didn't you die?"

 

[SenseiofCheese]

​

I smile and nod.

"Yes, follow me. You're just in time for the meeting." I say as I start to walk back towards the conference room. Halfway there, something odd hits me.

"Wait a minute...didn't you die?"

I am the Flash.

And I really need to say something before Captain America thinks I'm mentally challenged.

"I, uh..I have great health insurance." the Flash blurts out, as Captain America, the greatest American hero, gives him the funniest of looks.

The two men walk side by side, something Wally never thought would happen in a million years, for quite some time before the Flash musters up the courage to ask. "Wait, uhm...what meeting?"

 

[Byrd Man]

The two men walk side by side, something Wally never thought would happen in a million years, for quite some time before the Flash musters up the courage to ask. "Wait, uhm...what meeting?"

"Jay didn't tell you?" I arch my eyebrow slightly as we continue to walk down the hallway.

"I thought you two were close...anyway."

I push open the door to the conference room and motion for Flash to follow me inside.

"Come on in for the briefing."

 

[wiegeabo]

Everyone turned to the armored billionaire, and the Man of Steel was the first to approach the Man in steel.

"Ah, Tony... Still have a taste for the theatric, I see?"

"Well, I haven't had that good of a day so far, Superman..."

"I can tell." Superman assured him.

"Oh you have no idea, but I would like to tell you considering the reason why has to do with SHIELD. Isn't that right, Jay?"

Clark then turned to Jay, as did everyone...

"Jay, what's he talking about? What happened?"

I glance at Tony and Steve. They're the only ones who know. Guess it's time the others did too.

"When we formed the League, Nick Fury offered an...alliance with SHIELD. They'd help us with supplies, technology, information about individuals. In return, they'd ask us for help occasionally. You all probably remember...this was not well received. But we had a vote, and agreed to their terms."

Just like it happened then, people started looking at each other, mentally drawing the same lines they did before. Dinah looks especially hurt. Both Tony and I decided to support Nick, and she fought against it. It's acutally one of the reasons she left the League.

Suddenly, Steve heads off towards the front foyer. I try to press on. "Uh, well-" I take a breath. "SHIELD took technology that Tony Stark was working on. Apparently without permission or legal authorization, they took it. And when Steve, Tony, and I went to confront Nick...he confirmed it was under his authority. His subordinate, Amanda Waller, claimed the technology was originally SHIELD's, and they were just reclaiming it."

I let the events sink in a bit, and notice the subtle shifts of attitude in the way everyone stands. "I know we haven't been much of a team lately. Probably not since Galactus. But you all needed to be aware of these events. You see-"

"Jay didn't tell you?" I arch my eyebrow slightly as we continue to walk down the hallway.

"I thought you two were close...anyway."

I push open the door to the conference room and motion for Flash to follow me inside.

"Come on in for the briefing."

Steve walks into the room. Behind him follows-

My eyes go wide with shock.

"...B-Barry?!" I say in barely a whisper. No, it can't be. I saw Barry die. I was there. And I couldn't stop it. Everyone starts murmuring about this Flash. This impostor. Barry's death was all over the news. A death of a hero of his caliber always is.

Suddenly I rush forward, grabbing the 'Flash' by the shoulders as I shove him into another room, pinning him against the wall. Anger coursing through me, mixing with grief.

"Who the hell are you to wear that uniform?!"

 

[Matt Murdock]

"...B-Barry?!" I say in barely a whisper. No, it can't be. I saw Barry die. I was there. And I couldn't stop it. Everyone starts murmuring about this Flash. This impostor. Barry's death was all over the news. A death of a hero of his caliber always is.

Suddenly I rush forward, grabbing the 'Flash' by the shoulders as I shove him into another room, pinning him against the wall. Anger coursing through me, mixing with grief.

"Who the hell are you to wear that uniform?!"

Season III

Spider-Man issues the same, constant directive in his head over and over again:

Be quiet, be quiet, be quiet, be quie--

"Well this is awkward," he said aloud, gawkily.

Apparently, his command to himself didn't work too well.

He didn't know much about this Nick Fury character at all, but, from the sounds of things, the Amazing Spider-Man and the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. would be introduced soon enough.

After, of course, the resolution of the Flash situation was resolved.

...And after Peter had gotten a bite to eat.
​

 

[SenseiofCheese]

"...B-Barry?!" I say in barely a whisper. No, it can't be. I saw Barry die. I was there. And I couldn't stop it. Everyone starts murmuring about this Flash. This impostor. Barry's death was all over the news. A death of a hero of his caliber always is.

Suddenly I rush forward, grabbing the 'Flash' by the shoulders as I shove him into another room, pinning him against the wall. Anger coursing through me, mixing with grief.

"Who the hell are you to wear that uniform?!"

Before Wally even had a chance to talk, he found himself slammed against a wall. Jay, an expression of anger on his face Wally had never seen before, had him pinned. If Wally didn't know any better, Jay looked like he was about to kill him.

"I...I..uh, hi. Hi, Jay." Wally blurted out, and he slowly felt Jay's grip on him loosen as he realized who was under the crimson cowl. "It's me. Wally."

 

[wiegeabo]

Before Wally even had a chance to talk, he found himself slammed against a wall. Jay, an expression of anger on his face Wally had never seen before, had him pinned. If Wally didn't know any better, Jay looked like he was about to kill him.

"I...I..uh, hi. Hi, Jay." Wally blurted out, and he slowly felt Jay's grip on him loosen as he realized who was under the crimson cowl. "It's me. Wally."

My grip loosens and my expression drop as shock replaces my anger. "W-Wally?"

I'm flooded with any number of questions. How? Why? When?

Without even looking around, I can feel everyone staring at us. So I let Wally go, ignoring the pounding in my head and chest. Deciding to put away questions I really want answers to.

"We'll talk later." I turn back to the group. "Wa-Flash," I say, the name suddenly sounding a bit weird, "meet the League."

 

[Matt Murdock]

My grip loosens and my expression drop as shock replaces my anger. "W-Wally?"

I'm flooded with any number of questions. How? Why? When?

Without even looking around, I can feel everyone staring at us. So I let Wally go, ignoring the pounding in my head and chest. Deciding to put away questions I really want answers to.

"We'll talk later." I turn back to the group. "Wa-Flash," I say, the name suddenly sounding a bit weird, "meet the League."

Season III

Nobody quite knows what to say. After all, it wasn't every day that a superhero came back from the dead.

Okay, so... Maybe it was. But that sort of stuff was meant for comic books, not real-life, important matters.

"Welcome to the, uh... team." Spider-Man muttered nodding at the Flash.
​

 

[SenseiofCheese]

I am the Flash.

The fastest man alive.

And this? This is awkward.

Wally decided to follow Jay's lead the best he could, and looked over to who he knew from the news to be Spider-Man.

"Thanks. Uh.." he smiled awkwardy and looked over the group of heroes. There were almost too many to name, and Wally was too stunned to even remember who half of them were.

"I know you must have some questions and all, so if you don't mind me going first...What team?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"I know you must have some questions and all, so if you don't mind me going first...What team?"

"We don't really have a name."

I look around at the group of heroes amassed around the conference room.

"But we all do our best to help the world."

I place my hand on the young Flash's shoulder.

"If you need a name, I guess you can call us The League."

"I still like Justice Society better..."

I shoot Ted a look just as the door into the conference room opens.

"Well, looks like I'm late." Nick Fury says as he strolls into the room.

"So, you wanted to talk....let's talk."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

"We don't really have a name."

I look around at the group of heroes amassed around the conference room.

"But we all do our best to help the world."

I place my hand on the young Flash's shoulder.

"If you need a name, I guess you can call us The League."

"I still like Justice Society better..."

I shoot Ted a look just as the door into the conference room opens.

"Well, looks like I'm late." Nick Fury says as he strolls into the room.

"So, you wanted to talk....let's talk."

Wow.

Wow.

This is big.

The Flash smiles awkwardly at Captain America before shooting Jay Garrick a look of pleading. Jay motions for Wally to be steady, so when the incredibly imposing man with the eye-patch barges into the room and every single hero in it stiffens up, Wally decides to walk to the back of the group. Standing beside the friendliest looking of the bunch, The Flash whispers.

"You're Spider-Man, huh? I'm Flash. Big fan."

 

[Matt Murdock]

Wow.

Wow.

This is big.

The Flash smiles awkwardly at Captain America before shooting Jay Garrick a look of pleading. Jay motions for Wally to be steady, so when the incredibly imposing man with the eye-patch barges into the room and every single hero in it stiffens up, Wally decides to walk to the back of the group. Standing beside the friendliest looking of the bunch, The Flash whispers.

"You're Spider-Man, huh? I'm Flash. Big fan."

Season III

I have fans? Super-powered fans?

"Yeah?" Spider-Man asked surprised, "I didn't know people knew about me outside of New York. I'm a, uh, fan too. Of yours, I mean."
​

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Season III

I have fans? Super-powered fans?

"Yeah?" Spider-Man asked surprised, "I didn't know people knew about me outside of New York. I'm a, uh, fan too. Of yours, I mean."
​

"So, uhh.." Wally leans in close to Spider-Man, whispering so as not to incur the wrath of anyone with a patch or a shield. "I kind of missed the first half of this movie. What the hell is going on?"

 

[Blacklight]

"We don't really have a name."

I look around at the group of heroes amassed around the conference room.

"But we all do our best to help the world."

I place my hand on the young Flash's shoulder.

"If you need a name, I guess you can call us The League."

"I still like Justice Society better..."

I shoot Ted a look just as the door into the conference room opens.

"Well, looks like I'm late." Nick Fury says as he strolls into the room.

"So, you wanted to talk....let's talk."

SUPERMAN/IRON MAN​

"Colonel Fury. Glad you could make it. Jay here was just telling us how you gave your deputy director the clearence to take a project of Mr. Stark's without his consent. Is this true?" Superman asked the hardened director of the most elite espionage organization in the globe.

Clark wondered what type of project it was that Fury would have to steal it from underneath Tony's nose, but he was sure he would find out later. Right now, he just wanted to get this situation resolved.

Tony however wondered what in hell's name was Fury doing showing his face here? Tony made his point pretty clear that he would've killed Fury earler for what he did, were it not for his moment of clarity.

"Yes, Superman. I did give Waller clearence to take the project and all it's contents. We thought it would be beneficial for us to study it so that we may recreate it so that we can begin working on recreating the Human Torch android. You should be thanking us..."

"You son of a--" Iron Man began cursing as he aimed his palm at Fury once again as it glowed bright, but Superman raised his hand to Stark to signify him to stop.

"Calm down, Tony. Blasting him to pieces is not the way to handle this situation..."

"Thank you, Superman. As I was saying..."

"No. I think you've said enough, Colonel..."

Fury then looked at the Last Son of Krypton in confusion, as Superman looked at him with disappointment in his eyes.

"With all due respect, sir... Before you go off telling us how what you did was for the benefit of mankind and such, let me just say that I'm a firm believer in truth, justice, and the American way... and what you did, Colonel, in my opinion, underminded all of those values. To me, a spit in the face of what's made me the man I am today. So you have to understand why I can't put my support behind a man who thinks he is above the law..."

"Superman, it's not that simple... We were doing if for our count--"

"Can it, Fury. It is like that, and you know it... You stole from me what was going to be my greatest achievement and gift to the world since this armor, just so you could use it to make an army of robot soldiers that'll listen to everything you say..."

The lenses of Iron Man's helmet narrowed as he looked at Fury trying to justify to the Man of Steel his actions, but deep down, all three of them knew there was no justifying it.

"Well, that was my say on the matter. As you can tell, I agree with Tony on this one. I don't think having SHIELD on our side would be any more beneficial than if we didn't have them, and they've made it pretty clear that they'll cross us to get their way. That said, the rest of you have the floor..."

Superman's eyes then moved on from Fury to his other teammates in the room, and the star-spangled sentinel caught his eye.

"Captain, what are your thoughts on the situation?"

"Yeah, Cap. Still think that Fury and SHIELD are the so-called "Patriots" they fooled you into believing they were?"