One Universe: Season III IC Thread

[Eddie Brock]

"Okay...when I connect this wire, you're either going to turn on or explode," I announce to myself. I only have the dim basement lights to illuminate my work, but I've spent so much time down here that I'm used to it. Aunt May basically let me transform this place into my own personal laboratory. Heck, this is where I invented the webshooters. Carefully connecting the wire, I add, "No pressure, right?"

Red Tornado's eyes pop open, and he raises his head to look at me. I hold my breath as I wait to see his next move. If he decides to attack me, I'm screwed. Luckily, he raises his hand only to close the panel.

"So, are you experiencing any nausea, indigestion, or vertigo?" I ask in my best imitation of a doctor.

Red Tornado shakes his head slowly. "I am fully operational," he explains. He extends a hand. "Spider-Man, I assume?"

I shake his hand joyfully. "Don't tell anybody, but yeah. How'd you know?"

"I'd recognize that wit anywhere," he responds. I smile. Good thing I decided to let him keep his personality. Just because he's a robot doesn't mean he has to be emotionless. He suddenly becomes very serious. "I believe I owe you an apology."

I shake my head. "Don't sweat it," I assure him. "If I got an apology from every person that tried to kill me at least once..."

I trail off and something dawns on me.

"Do you know who the Green Goblin is?" I ask eagerly.

Red Tornado shakes his head. "He never revealed his identity to me," he replies.

I guess I shouldn't have expected it to be that easy.

"If I may, what shall I do now?" Red Tornado asks me curiously.

I shrug. "Do whatever you want," I suggest. "You're a free man."

"That's just it: I'm not a man," he laments. It's a good point.

"True, true...do you want my real advice?"

His silence seems like a "yes" to me.

"You were created with a great power, so it should be your responsibility to use that power wisely," I explain. "You'd be surprised at the good you can do in the world. Lord knows the world needs all the heroes it can get."

Red Tornado furrows his brow. "You want me to be a hero? I wouldn't even know how to start."

"No one ever does," I respond while placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "But I think once you get out there, you'll realize what you need to do."

"I suppose," he sighs doubtingly. He extends his hand again. "Thank you for everything, Spider-Man."

"Consider this an investment. Don't make me regret it."

"I won't."

 

[Byrd Man]

Kitty smiles sheepishly at Robin. She turns a bit red in the cheeks as she opens her mouth to speak. "I do... but uh..."

The young girl looks at her feet, embarrassed at what she's about to say.

"I kinda forgot my cell phone at home... I don't suppose you have one, do you Robin?"

She stares up at him with puppy dog eyes, batting her eyelashes.

I flash Kitty a smile while I dig into my utility belt and find the small, red cell phone and toss it to her.

"Here you go, it's a prepaid one Bruce bought. If I lose it or it gets stolen, it's pretty much untraceable. Helps with my secret identity and such."

 

[Keyser Soze]

25 Years Ago

Good boys don't do bad things!

Bad boys don't do good things!

Harvey Dent was trapped in the darkness. He didn't know how long he'd been trapped down there. He'd lost consciousness a few times, from exhaustion after all that wailing and trashing about, so he'd lost track of all sense of time. It could have been days. It could have been hours. Surely no less than hours. It was so hard to keep track! It was total darkness in here, with no light for his eyes to grow accustomed to. So he could see nothing. And ever since he'd heard his father slamming the front door above him, and the car driving away, way back...he didn't know how long ago, it had been total silence. So he could hear nothing. It was like being trapped in a black hole, a void of nothingness.

Of all the cruel punishments his father inflicted on him, the one he hated and feared most was being locked in the basement and left, cold and hungry and alone. In the dark. He was so afraid of the dark, so afraid...

"Daddy! DADDY!"

His throat was raw and hoarse from screaming. He knew his father was gone, not there to hear him. Way out here in this old farmhouse, there was nobody to hear his screams. But he screamed anyway. His own voice kept him company, and helped break that awful silence.

"I'm bad! I know I'm bad! I'm sorry! I'm bad - punish me! Bad boys get beaten, that's what you tell me Daddy! Hit me, I deserve it! Just don't leave me, Daddy! Don't leave me by myself! I love you so much Daddy, I don't want you to leave me!"

And then he broke down into incoherent sobs. That was the worst fear of all. When his father threw him down the stairs into the basement, his parting words were always the same.

I might not come back this time.

I'll just pack a bag, get in my car and leave, he'd say. No one would ever know. And it'd be your own fault. It was your fault your Mommy died and went to Heaven and left us, and it'll be your fault when I leave you. You're a bad boy, Harvey.

And he was a bad boy, Harvey Dent knew it. He loved his father, dearly, more than anything in the whole world. His father was a kind, gentle, loving man who wanted a good son who he could give all that love to. And Harvey wanted to be that good son, he truly wanted to. He tried so hard to please his father, to make him happy. Sometimes he could. But a lot of the time, no matter how hard he tried to be good, the badness in him made him do something wrong, and make his father mad, and then the monster came. It wasn't his father that hit him, that cut him, that locked him in here. No, not his Daddy. It was the monster. The monster that took over his Daddy, and forced him to do terrible things to his son. The monster that only came because, however hard he tried to be good, Harvey Dent was a bad, bad boy.

"Stop crying."

Harvey sobbed bitterly, burying his face into the cold stone floor.

"Stop crying!"

He stopped, pushing himself up into a kneeling position, and trying to stifle his sniffles.

"What good does that do, feeling sorry for yourself? It's your own fault you're in here, because you're evil, Harvey. You're a bad, horrible, evil human being. You're not good enough to have a Dad who loves you, you don't deserve a Daddy as good as the one you've got. Just pray he's forgiving enough to give you another chance."

Harvey pounded his fists - already bloodied from his scratching at the door - into the ground, letting out a wail of frustration.

"I don't want another chance from him! I hate him! I HATE HIM!"

But then he calmed himself, shaking his head feverishly.

"No no no no no. How can you say you hate your Daddy? I love my Daddy. I love my Daddy. He's right. You are bad. You're so bad."

He felt tears welling up in his eyes.

"I'm not..."

He slapped himself across the face, hard.

"Stop crying! Pitying yourself, you make me so sick, you're such a selfish little rat! I hate you! God, I hate you so much! You don't deserve to ever get out of this basement. That's why I'm leaving you down here, forever!"

Confusion blurred young Harvey's mind. But that gave way to the clarity of steely resolve. He knew what he had to do.

"I am Harvey Dent..."

Shaking all over, he nevertheless forced himself to stand up, his hand on his chest as if he was swearing allegiance to the flag.

"I am good, I am honest, I am kind. I will devote my life to helping others, and protecting the innocent. I will work hard to be the very best I can be."

He slapped himself again.

"I am not the bad boy who disappoints his father, the evil little boy who can't do what he's told."

And again.

"He stays down here. He wastes away down here, in the dark, with nothing but his hatred and his cruelty to keep him company. Not me."

This time he punched himself, hard. He toppled off his feet, the blow rocking him. He spat a wad of blood onto the ground. And then it came. A low, guttural growl from the back of his throat. His teeth bared up, and he snarled like a wild animal. It was the badness in him!

"Get away from me! GET AWAY FROM ME!"

He struggled with himself, writhing on the floor and making inhuman noises. He tugged at his hair, feeling tufts give way in his fingers, as if he was pulling the evil out. Inside, he felt a genuine agony course through his body. He dug his fingers into the ground, ripping his nails from their fingers. It was like some kind of morbid self-exorcism, Harvey Dent determined to be a good boy for his daddy, and to rid himself of the bad boy who ruined everything once and for all.

At last, the struggle was over. And little Harvey, 8 years old, was totally spent. He lay on his back, panting, his eyes staring up into black nothingness.

"My name is Harvey Dent. I am a good person."

 

[Eddie Brock]

"Pete!"

I turn from my locker to see Chloe approaching. I grab a couple of books I took out from the library, and I close the locker. Leaning against the cold metal, I turn to look at Chloe.

"So, how was the bonding time?" Chloe asks while looking down at the plastic baby seated in a carrier slung around my chest.

I smile. I could always say, 'Well, gee, she was only feet away as I was locked in a duel with both the Red Tornado AND the Green Goblin! Luckily, she didn't suffer any collateral damage!'

I settle for, "It was easy."

My life is so weird.

"I think we're going to do fine," I admit as I hand over 'Allison.' I still don't like that we named it. This is a fake child - meant for nothing more than to deter teenagers from having sex. Or to deter them from having unprotected sex, at least.

"I hope so," Chloe mutters nervously. I don't blame her for being uneasy. This is a big grade. It will make or break our semester.

I'm only worried about breaking the baby. Maybe I should take it easy with the web-swinging and the acrobatics when it's my turn to babysit.

"Don't have too much fun without me," I wink.

Chloe rolls her eyes before smiling. "I really don't think you have to worry, Pete," she admits. "See you tomorrow."

***

After school, I decide that it's time to pay Jolly Jonah a visit. Maybe I can pick up on a lead about this whole murder issue while I'm there. Opting to use the front door instead of the roof access, I find myself using the Daily Bugle elevators for the first time in a long time.

"Hey, Peter!"

I look to see that Ned Leeds is the only other person in the elevator. He's a nice enough guy, even if I don't know much about him. Word on the floor is that he's the second best reporter on the staff - second only to Ben Urich.

"Hi, Mr. Leeds," I reply politely.

"It's Ned. So, did you hear?"

I turn my head. "Hear what?"

"Brock's back," Ned explains grimly. He always was rooting for me. Maybe that's why I like him so much. "He came in yesterday with pictures of Spider-Man and the Green Goblin."

Eddie was there? And he got pictures of me? Oh, this is too much.

"You didn't get any shots of that fight, did you?"

I shake my head shamefully. Red Tornado and the Goblin caught me off-guard. I didn't have time to set up a camera. Now, Eddie has the scoop on me. I'm already bracing myself for when Jonah rips me a new one for this.

"Watch yourself, Peter. Eddie is slime, and he'll do anything he can to get your paycheck," Ned warns me. I don't need someone to warn me about Eddie. I already know what he's capable of. The guy has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

The elevator dings as we reach our floor. Ned flashes me a weak smile before walking off briskly to get to work. I trudge my way out of the elevator defeatedly. Suddenly, I'm regretting coming here.
​

 

[SonnyBlack]

The Joker got up, no one had ever.....ever, pulled something like that on him. Using his own weapons on him, it was stealing his gag! Something about being a comedian, you can steal other people´s material, but no one steals yours. Crawling up, he heard Bullseye´s attempt at being civil, getting up Joker got out a playing card and lashed it at the Kingpin´s new toy.

Throwing it, it managed to scrape a tiny bit of Bullseye´s shoulder, as the card flew past it and slashed the woman´s troat in front of the mercanary, gashing out blood and landing on the floor, the husband rushed to her as a crowd soon emerged.

Running, the clown kicked Bullseye in the face.

"Hey, I can steal material too!"

The Joker grabbed Bullseye and pressed the buzzer into his chest.

"Now! If you´re going to steal my gags! At least steal them right, THIS IS HOW YOU USE A JOY BUZZER! HAHAHA!"

Electricity shot through Bullseye body as he convulsed in pain. Jamming his palm into Joker's face Joker stepped back with both hands at his nose. Blood squirting down his nose as Joker is momentarily dazed. Normally the buzzer would have had Bullseye on the floor but the surge from the water must have weakened the effect. It must have really been the first time something like that happened. Joker didn't seem like the type of guy who would of made a mistake like that with his toys. Leaping foot first he connected with Joker's chest sending him flying backwards. Turning he saw a big crowd looking on and he loved it.

"Stay back folks that man is the love child of John Wayne Gacy and Martha Stewart!"

Joker lunges tackling Bullseye to the ground as he starts unloading punches. Left, Right, Left, Right all while laughing his head off. Lifting from his knees Bullseye is able to flip Joker over him before he was able to scramble back to his feet.

"Alright guys break it up." The horse police officer says looking down at Bullseye.

"Officer! That man over there he's the Joker just look!"

As the policeman turns his head Bullseye takes two shuriken from his belt throwing them at the cop.

"AAAAAAHHHH."

Both shurekin stuck in the cops hands he falls off his horse hitting the ground with a loud crash.

WOOSH

Bullseye barely dodges a pie headed directly for him instead it hits a bystander right in the face. A green myst could be seen as the woman it hits and those closest to her start choking. Joker nails Bullseye right across the temple sending the already off balance Bullseye to the floor. Everyone else starts running in all directions screaming all types of amusing lines. Taking out a machine gun Joker starts wasting the crowd while yelling something about being party poopers. Bullseye wraps his legs between Jokers and twists tripping Joker down to the floor.

"Hey who said you get to kill any bystanders? That's my job!"

It was only him and Joker with cops on the way when those people reached the outside. But it was a big park. Joker stood with a pistol aimed directly at Bullseye.

"BANG!"

Pulling the trigger a rod with a cloth words the words BANG comes out. Joker smiles. Click. Standing perfectly still Bullseye suddenly snaps his arm out catching the rod and in one motion throwing it back right into the Joker's leg.

"Is that all you got? your nothing Joker! Why don't you go back to Gotham with the rest of the girlscouts and leave New York to the big boys."

 

[Green Lantern]

I flash Kitty a smile while I dig into my utility belt and find the small, red cell phone and toss it to her.

"Here you go, it's a prepaid one Bruce bought. If I lose it or it gets stolen, it's pretty much untraceable. Helps with my secret identity and such."

Kitty walked past Robin to get more bars of service, and as she did, she whispered to him.

"Speaking of secret identities... should you have name dropped Batsy right there?"

She watched the lenses of Robin's mask widen as he realized what he had just said, and Kitty dialed the number for the mansion.

A minute later she sighed.

"No one is answering. Kurt, how many people can you bamf at once?"

 

[Saved]

Hunter is distracted, disoriented. Obviously caught in his own trap. And I'm not about to give him a chance to gather his senses. I rush and grab Hunter from behind in a full nelson. I start tapping at his speed and force him to his knees.

"I'm not surprised you don't know what's going on, Hunter. It's not like this is public knowledge. Congratulations, you're at ground zero."

[blackout] "WWhhatttheeehheelllll?!"[/blackout]

I tighten my grip. "Pretty soon, a nuclear warhead is going to hit this place. Everything within a few dozen square miles is going to be instantly destroyed." Well, almost everything.

"You want to know what I think. I think we should just stay right here." Hunter tries struggling, but I knee him in the kidney. "Might as well stop struggling. When the nuke hits, it will all be over. No more threatening the timeline. No more needless deaths."

"No. More. Zoom."

One Month Ago

As Hunter struggles to breakfree, he watches the chaos around him. He sees the strongest heroes fight the massive villain not too far away. Hunter gazes in awe at the spectacle, both dazed and mesmorized.

Hunter hears Jay talking, exposing his plan to the time manipulator. Hunter is slowly pulled out of his paralyzed state, and brings himself back. He begins to laugh, starting slow but quickly escalating. As he laughs he feels the pain in his kidney from Jay's kick, causing him to end his chuckle. His grin changes back to a frown, and he quickly becomes filled with his rage.

[BLACKOUT]"YYou'rree bbluffinngg, JJayy." [/BLACKOUT]Hunter says with a hiss. [BLACKOUT]"YYouuhherroess wwouldd nneverruusenuccularwwarfaree."[/BLACKOUT] Jay points a head to the horizon, to a large object headed toward them. Hunter looks closely and sees the Green Arrow preparing his bows, readying himself for an attack. Behind him, Hunter sees someone he thought had left. Jay, the past form of him, stands with Green Arrow, both ready to begin their plan.

"Just look, Hunter." Jay says as he increases his grip on Hunter. "Does it look like I was bluffing?"

[BLACKOUT]"Rggh!" [/BLACKOUT]Hunter growls, grinding his teeth in frustration. [BLACKOUT]"DDamnnyoouu! DDammnyyoou!" [/BLACKOUT]Hunter uses his last bit of energy, tapping into the timestream carelessly. The world around Jay and Hunter goes through its familiar state, the world slows, everything becomes like a video being rewound and fastforwarded all at once.

The world around them begins to fade out as they fall into the timestream, the images of the heroes from the past melting away into darkness.

In only a matter of seconds, the two men are dropped back into the new present to them, a moment still caught in the past. With a violent jerk they come out of the timestream, their bodies both weakened from the hasten trip.

Hunter quickly gets his bearings, despite the powerful pain in his stomach from his "jump." As he feels Jay's grip weaken, he elbows the hero in his side. Hunter wriggles free from Jay's hold, and runs to a spot not to far away.

Hunter takes deeps breaths as he regains his consciousness fully, allowing his body to adjust to the current present. Hunter looks around the area, surveying the land to discover where he is.

[BLACKOUT]"I should've been more careful..."[/BLACKOUT] He says in a heavy breath. [BLACKOUT]"I can't keep making these hasty time shifts. It could take me to dangerous places...or dangerous times."[/BLACKOUT] Hunter looks over to Jay, an idea suddenly coming to his mind. He smiles at his newly contrived plan as he sees the hero quickly get his bearings. Hunter tenses his body, and immediately prepares himself for his last stand.

[BLACKOUT]"Okay Jay! That was a bad move on my part. I'm not going to make that mistake again!"[/BLACKOUT] Hunter taps into the timestream one last time, fusing his molecules out of the present, and into the continous circle of time. His body hazes as he speeds up to a rate not achievable by any man.

In a quick jog he moves toward Jay, taking him barely a half a second to move. He swings his fist and lands a strong upercut to the hero's jaw, knocking him to the ground. Hunter laughs as he stares at Jay, preparing himself for what comes next.

[BLACKOUT]"Alllrrightt, JJayy. IItt'ssttimee."[/BLACKOUT] Hunter leans down and grabs Jay by his throat. [BLACKOUT]"TTimmeiisssaaccirccleJayy. IIt'ssaatrack! II'mmggoinggttoottakkeyouufforraaridde! WwheereeverIIdroppyoou, wwheneverrIddroppyouu,"[/BLACKOUT] Hunter brings his face close to Jay's, an expression of anger and hatred on Hunter's face.[BLACKOUT] "YYouwiillddiee!" [/BLACKOUT]

The two men fall back into the timestream, the tunnel running through all realities, all presents, and all futures. Hunter laughs as they move through the tunnel, landing another punch to Jay, hitting him in the stomach.

[BLACKOUT] "RReaadyyfforrttheerriideoffyouurllife?" [/BLACKOUT]Hunter asks with a sneer. [BLACKOUT]"Onnlyonneoffussisggoinghommettonight!" [/BLACKOUT]

 

[Eddie Brock]

I wake up the next morning to an uncomfortable feeling. My eyes itch. It's a similar sensation to when I first used my heat vision, but it's altogether different. Besides, I can control heat vision now. It wouldn't be giving me any problems. No, this is something different. Perhaps I should try to contact Clark...

I slide out of bed and lumber over to the bathroom door. Let's see if the sensation goes away after I take my shower. The door is closed, and so I raise my hand to knock. Before I can, I get a small headache as I close my eyes. When I open them, the bathroom door isn't there anymore. In fact, the entire wall is transparent. I can see Mr. Kent brushing his teeth by the mirror. I inwardly sigh in relief that he's not doing anything...else.

"Mr. Kent?" I call out nervously.

I watch as Mr. Kent spits out the toothpaste and looks to the door. "Yes, Kara?" he responds.

I clear my throat. "I think my X-ray Vision just manifested," I explain sheepishly.

Mr. Kent's eyes widen, and I watch him button up his shirt. I think he can tell that I'm looking at him. "Can you give me a minute?" he asks awkwardly.

I look down at the floor, and I can see Mrs. Kent moving about the kitchen - preparing breakfast for the three of us. She puts down a plate of pancakes and pours some maple syrup over it. I suddenly realize how unsettling it is to look through the floor.

"Come on...turn off..."

I slam my eyes shut in a desperate attempt to regain control of the situation. When I open them again, I see only the hardwood floor of the Kent's home. I take a deep breath as Mr. Kent opens the bathroom door.

"Do you think you're up to go to school?" he asks.

I shrug. "How bad can it be?"
​

 

[Johnny Blaze]

It was nearly midnight, but Norman Osborn still sat at his desk in his study as he went over documents from his various business dealings.
Every now and then, Osborn would take a sip from his glass of scotch as he silently scanned the files.

"Hahahahahahahahaha..."

"What the devil", Norman uttered in surprise as he placed his glass down on the desk and rose to stand.

"Who's there!?"

"Awww...I think you know who this is, Normie", came the reply from seemingly everywhere.

"You."

"Yes...me. I think it's time you and I had a little talk."

"I have nothing to say to you! You're a menace! Part of the super-human pox that's plaguing mankind", states Norman, angrily, as he begins to walk around the room.

"Sure, you say that now. But you'll be singing a different tune in five minutes. Hahahaha."

"I've had enough of your games, freak. Either show yourself like a man, or slink away like the spineless coward I know...you..."

Osborn's words trailed off as he passed by the large mirror in the room. Norman stood, mouth agape, as he looked into his reflection. Only it wasn't him Norman was seeing, it was the Green Goblin.

"What is this", Osborn asked tensely.

"You're a smart man", smirked the Goblin, "I think you know the truth."

"Especially when it's staring you in the face. Hahaha."

"NO! This is some illusion! Some trick! I am not you!"

"Hahahahahaha! You can deny it all you want, Norman. But you and I both know that it's true. Deep down in your gut, you know it is."

"Hell, ever wonder why you seemingly are always tired when you wake up? Even when you get to bed early? Or how about the break-in? How would I know the access codes to get to the alien tech? It's because we're each a side of the same coin."

"Heh, that's me, baby", winked the Goblin.
"The night's my time to shine."

"No. It...how the hell could this have happened", Norman questioned himself as he slumped into a nearby chair.
His head was swimming now. He had hated the so-called superheroes, and the Goblin was one of the costumed freaks he hated the most. But, deep down, he knew it was true. It was like a large fog had been lifted from his mind, and memories of his time as the Goblin began flooding back into his brain all at once.

Osborn winced and rested his head in his hands. It was all too much to handle at once, this revelation.

Then the memories came easier to Osborn, and he slumped back into his chair and sighed deeply.

"I don't...I don't know what to say."

"I'll tell you what to say, Norman. Say thank you to those performance enhancers you created. If it weren't for them and your impatience to test them, there wouldn't have been that lab accident. And then I wouldn't have been born."

"The explosion", Osborn whispered in realization.
"Of course."

"Yes, that's when I came to be. The dark, well, darker, part of your consciousness manifested in all it's hideous glory."

"I'm your greatest nightmare, Norman", the Goblin grinned, bearing his teeth.

"And I'm here to make life for you as perfect as it can be. After all, didn't I destroy Luthor's warehouses in Gotham?"

"That's right", Osborn replied as he rose to his feet once again.
"Practically all of Lex's waterfront shipyard was destroyed. He lost millions in goods, and OsCorp was there to fill the void."

"That's right. And it should all have been destroyed. But I was interfered with. Which brings me to our problem."

"Spider-Man."

"Bingo. He kept me from completely trashing Lex's Gotham operation."

"Peter Parker."

"Yes, the man behind the mask."

Norman did not reply. His eyes simply narrowed as he digested the words and memories.

"He's meddled in our life too much already. It's time we squash the bug once and for all."

"Yes", replied Osborn as he nodded his head in agreement, his eyes staring off into space.

"But outright death is too simple a thing. He needs to suffer first."

"With us knowing his secret identity, we can make his life a living hell."

"Now you're thinking, Norman", cackled the Goblin.

"It just so happens I have the perfect idea. And, with your resources, we can pull it off without a problem."

Norman smiles as he looks back into the mirror.

"What did you have in mind?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

"You know, when I pictured myself sneaking around in the middle of the night for a woman, I always imagined a little more...touching," I announce as I land on the roof where Montoya and I first met. She's here again, and I'm glad. I was hoping to catch her tonight - even if there isn't any touching involved.

"You have no idea how unlikely that would be," Montoya responds plainly. She places her hands on her hips. "I'm glad to see you can keep your wits about you in a time like this."

"Speaking of which, any leads on that whole fiasco?"

Montoya shakes her head. "Can you think of anyone that would do this to you?"

Ha.

Is she being serious right now?

"I run around in my pajamas, stopping crimes and simultaneously mocking the people I'm thwarting," I explain. "Do you really have the time for me to go down the list?"

"Duly noted," Montoya responds emotionlessly. She seems like she really should lighten up. Then again, look at who's talking - I'm light enough for everyone I know.

"Have you been monitoring gang activity?" Montoya asks abruptly.

I scratch the back of my head. "Um...does that include watching reruns of The Sopranos?"

"This is serious," she scolds.

"Okay, okay, I'll save the comedy for Open Mic Night," I promise. It's a lie because I quip compulsively. I'm pretty sure that it's a defense mechanism, but you'd have to ask Sigmund Freud. That is, y'know, if he was still alive and all.

Montoya looks out into the night. "I'm worried about the Apocalypse," she explains.

"Gee, I didn't take you for a religious woman."

Didn't I just promise not to make jokes?

"You are aware that I'm legally obligated to arrest you for murder?" she asks dryly. I think she's made her point.

"Duly noted," I respond defensively. She shoots me one more look before returning to her train of thought.

"They're on the move, and we've seen a sudden centralization of their forces," she continues. "They're planning something."

"Just advertise a meet-and-greet with Blink 182. That'll draw them out," I suggest. The sad part is that I'm only half-joking about that.

"I need you to keep your eyes open. Whatever they're planning, it's going to involve a large number of their forces. If we can bust them, there's a chance that the Apocalypse will collapse into itself."

"Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Oh, and we have reasons to believe that the Apocalypse are working with one of your kind," Montoya adds.

My kind? "As in young, charming, funny, and wall-crawling?"

"As in supervillain."

I was worried about that.

"And you decided to make this an afterthought?"

Montoya shrugs.

"You're so weird."

I fire a webline and step onto the edge of the building. "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Montoya sneers. "I hate Shakespeare."

I pause. "Actually? Me too."

And without another word, I'm off into the night.
​

 

[bkhedr]

GLADIATOR

Wrist cannons opened up and the armored jet troops loosed hundreds of non lethal rounds at Kallark even as they hit their jets and moved to close the distance between him and themselves.

The first of the ultra dense rubber rounds struck Kallark in the back and though he barely felt them there was no denying that this was an attack.

The foolish creatures dare to fire upon me? This cannot go unanswered.

Moving with blinding speed the Praetor of the Imperial Guard charged at the lead jet trooper and hit him with the force of a battering ram.

"Look Ou-ngghah!" The lead trooper shouted in pain despite the protection afforded by his armor.

He felt the vice like grip on his throat through the titanium mesh and watched in horror as the alien who held him so firmly casually ripped his wrist cannon off like it was made of cardboard even while his fellow troopers continued to circle and fire.

"Ahh hell he's got the LT" One trooper said.

"How did he move so fast?" Another said in a panicked tone.

"Forget this" a third man chimed in "Switch to lethal rounds."

The troopers responded immediately and began firing armor piercing explosive at Kallark.

Unfortunately for them these were as ineffectual as the non lethal ones and Kallark responded by hurling the trooper in his grip at another trooper who had gotten too close.

Another trooper tried to strafe Kallark from above only to be punched hard in the chest by a rising uppercut that sent him spiraling into the clouds.

Yet another trooper shot past Kallark while firing explosive rounds into his back. The tiny charges went off without having any effect on the alien and Kallark responded by firing a beam from his eyes that set the troopers left jet boot on fire and forced him into a semi controlled descent.

*****

From within the observation room of Department Black, General Phillips watched as his troopers began to disappear from his radar.

As more and more troopers began to blink out, the impatient Phillips leaned in and spoke into a microphone.

"Talk to me troops. What the hell is going on up there?" he said gruffly

For a second there was no response then the familiar voice of the Lead Trooper came through along with the sounds of gunfire and tearing metal.

"He's killing us sir!" The trooper said hurriedly. His voice betraying his rising sense of panic "I don't know what this guy's made off but we don't stand a chance. Armor's barely keeping us in this fight."

Phillips rubbed his chin as he always did when tried to make a difficult decision then he spoke into the mic again.

"Get out of there Jet Troops. Repeat break off contact. Fighters, bring the XT down. Its your party."

*****

"Roger that sir. This is Black Bird Squadron moving to engage." the pilot of the lead F-22 said before banking hard along with his squadron and lining Kallark up even as the Jet Troops all began to disengage.

"Flee then cowards!" Kallark shouted to the retreating armored figures in a language they could not possibly understand "Flee and tell all on this pitiful little planet that the Shi'ar are warriors!"

It was at that instant when the first sidewinder missile collided with Kallark and exploded into a fiery ball which engulfed him as the jet fighters completed their fly by.

"Direct hit General. Target neutrali-what the hell was that?" The lead pilot said as he heard a thump on the top of his aircraft followed by a bang on his canopy.

"Jesus Christ!!" he shouted as he looked up to see Gladiator ripping the canopy of his plane.

The reinforced canopy came off like a pop off lid in Gladiator's iron grip and the pilot promptly ejected leaving Kallark standing upon an empty bird and watching as the pilot's parachute opened.

An instant later the other F-22s fired upon Kallark only to destroy the plane had been standing on.

"Did we get him?"

"Where the hell is he?"

"Goddamn it he's fast"

The cacophony of voices rang out through the radio before one exclaimed.

"Behind us! He's on our tails!"

"After burners!" one pilot called and all the jets accelerated in unison.

Kallark accelerated along with them and fired a beam from his eyes at the plane that was furthest back, clipping its wing and forcing the pilot to eject.

Yes. Run back to your holes. Run that I may follow you. For Gladiator would have words with your superior.




​

GLADIATOR

Wrist cannons opened up and the armored jet troops loosed hundreds of non lethal rounds at Kallark even as they hit their jets and moved to close the distance between him and themselves.

The first of the ultra dense rubber rounds struck Kallark in the back and though he barely felt them there was no denying that this was an attack.

The foolish creatures dare to fire upon me? This cannot go unanswered.

Moving with blinding speed the Praetor of the Imperial Guard charged at the lead jet trooper and hit him with the force of a battering ram.

"Look Ou-ngghah!" The lead trooper shouted in pain despite the protection afforded by his armor.

He felt the vice like grip on his throat through the titanium mesh and watched in horror as the alien who held him so firmly casually ripped his wrist cannon off like it was made of cardboard even while his fellow troopers continued to circle and fire.

"Ahh hell he's got the LT" One trooper said.

"How did he move so fast?" Another said in a panicked tone.

"Forget this" a third man chimed in "Switch to lethal rounds."

The troopers responded immediately and began firing armor piercing explosive at Kallark.

Unfortunately for them these were as ineffectual as the non lethal ones and Kallark responded by hurling the trooper in his grip at another trooper who had gotten too close.

Another trooper tried to strafe Kallark from above only to be punched hard in the chest by a rising uppercut that sent him spiraling into the clouds.

Yet another trooper shot past Kallark while firing explosive rounds into his back. The tiny charges went off without having any effect on the alien and Kallark responded by firing a beam from his eyes that set the troopers left jet boot on fire and forced him into a semi controlled descent.

*****

From within the observation room of Department Black, General Phillips watched as his troopers began to disappear from his radar.

As more and more troopers began to blink out, the impatient Phillips leaned in and spoke into a microphone.

"Talk to me troops. What the hell is going on up there?" he said gruffly

For a second there was no response then the familiar voice of the Lead Trooper came through along with the sounds of gunfire and tearing metal.

"He's killing us sir!" The trooper said hurriedly. His voice betraying his rising sense of panic "I don't know what this guy's made off but we don't stand a chance. Armor's barely keeping us in this fight."

Phillips rubbed his chin as he always did when tried to make a difficult decision then he spoke into the mic again.

"Get out of there Jet Troops. Repeat break off contact. Fighters, bring the XT down. Its your party."

*****

"Roger that sir. This is Black Bird Squadron moving to engage." the pilot of the lead F-22 said before banking hard along with his squadron and lining Kallark up even as the Jet Troops all began to disengage.

"Flee then cowards!" Kallark shouted to the retreating armored figures in a language they could not possibly understand "Flee and tell all on this pitiful little planet that the Shi'ar are warriors!"

It was at that instant when the first sidewinder missile collided with Kallark and exploded into a fiery ball which engulfed him as the jet fighters completed their fly by.

"Direct hit General. Target neutrali-what the hell was that?" The lead pilot said as he heard a thump on the top of his aircraft followed by a bang on his canopy.

"Jesus Christ!!" he shouted as he looked up to see Gladiator ripping the canopy of his plane.

The reinforced canopy came off like a pop off lid in Gladiator's iron grip and the pilot promptly ejected leaving Kallark standing upon an empty bird and watching as the pilot's parachute opened.

An instant later the other F-22s fired upon Kallark only to destroy the plane had been standing on.

"Did we get him?"

"Where the hell is he?"

"Goddamn it he's fast"

The cacophony of voices rang out through the radio before one exclaimed.

"Behind us! He's on our tails!"

"After burners!" one pilot called and all the jets accelerated in unison.

Kallark accelerated along with them and fired a beam from his eyes at the plane that was furthest back, clipping its wing and forcing the pilot to eject.

Yes. Run back to your holes. Run that I may follow you. For Gladiator would have words with your superior.




​

GLADIATOR

Gladiator did not not have to pursue the fighters long before an airfield and accompanying base came into view nestled in a valley.

The system's single sun had yet to crest over the horizon and he was still several dozen kilometers away from the base but Kallark could clearly see the frantic activity taking place on the ground.

It was a military installation. He didn't have to be familiar with this world to discern that much. As expected, they were busy preparing for his arrival.

Kallark quickly identified an older man wearing a uniform decorated with insignia. The man had token position at the end of the runway along with several of his aides and a group of armed men.

This must be Phillips Gladiator mused as he watched the General pull a pair of binoculars to his eyes and seek him out in the sky.

The extraterrestrial came into focus for Phillips just as the fighters completed their flyby over the base.

Phillips wasn't quite sure what happened next.

One second the jets were passing over head and the XT was staring right at him.

The next second he disappeared from sight just as Phillips and him men heard a crash and felt a powerful gust of wind blow over them.

Several men jumped back and Phillips dropped his binoculars and looked up to see the white whale staring him in the face.

"Well good evening sir." Phillips said with a thin smile, quickly regaining his composure.

Without hesitating the General extended an open hand to Kallark.

"Welcome to Earth."


​

 

[Carnage27]

Kitty walked past Robin to get more bars of service, and as she did, she whispered to him.

"Speaking of secret identities... should you have name dropped Batsy right there?"

She watched the lenses of Robin's mask widen as he realized what he had just said, and Kitty dialed the number for the mansion.

A minute later she sighed.

"No one is answering. Kurt, how many people can you bamf at once?"

I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this.

"I have only done it with up to three other people, and the mansion is much to far for me to make it safely. Zhat kind of distance with passengers could kill them...or me."

I start to think about the possible solutions to our dilemma, when a light bulb goes off in my mind.

Did he just give up Batman's identity...?

"Vhat about taking them to Gotham, and to somewhere like Wayne Tower? Mr. Wayne was very generous to mutant kind. He would help wouldn't he?"

 

[wiegeabo]

"You did not."

"Honestly. I did."

"Bruce, no one actually runs away to join the circus."

"No one but me." Elektra laughs. "I was only ten, and there was this magician, Zatara-"

"The Zatara? Performing at a circus."

"It was a few years before he hit the big time. Anyway, I wasn't really into magic. His tricks were good, but what really caught my eye was his escapes. He did this one where his arms and legs were shackled apart and he was placed on a spinning wheel that just went faster and faster. And he had to escape before he passed out...or worse."

"And you were hooked."

"You bet. I spent days trying to figure it out. Couldn't sleep. So finally I begged him to tell me. Even tried to buy the answer."

"Bruce!" she says slightly disapproving.

"Hey. Ten years old, remember? But he wouldn't budge. He said magicians never gave up their secrets, except to apprentices."

"So you ran away as his new apprentice."

"I sent postcards to Alfred every week." Elektra laughs. "It took him a month before he trusted me enough to teach me how to escape from a pair of handcuffs. A very usefult thing to know," I say with a wink. Elektra chokes on her iced tea when I say that. I can't help but laugh.

"Sir?" Alfred's voice says from behind.

I turn to look at him. "Yes?"

"There is someone at the main door who wishes to speak with you privately, Master Bruce."

"Get their information and send them away Alfred. I'll contact them later."

"I believe it is a matter of some urgency, sir."

Alfred wouldn't say it if it wasn't. "Sorry," I say to Elektra. "I'll only be a minute."

"Of course," she says.

I follow Alfred into the house. Whoever it is better have a damn good reason for interrupting me.

 

[Byrd Man]

Before it can make another move, Amazo gets blasted in the back by a large, crimson beam.

"I don't know who or what you are, but you're leaving", stated Cyclops as his hand rested near his visor, ready to fire another optic blast.

"Now."

Behind Scott stood the rest of the team: Jean Grey, Beast, Jubilee, Iceman, Rogue, and Northstar.

Amazo climbed from the wreckage of the trees he had smashed into and confronted the young mutants.

"No", the android stated as it's eyes flared red.

"I'm not leaving until I see Xavier. If you wish to live, I suggest you get out of my way."

"You're not getting any where near the Professor."

"So be it", replies Amazo as it rushes the team.
The X-Men quickly move into action. Cyclops unleashes another optic blast, but Amazo creates a tube with emerald energy and funnels the blast back around to connect with the floating Jean Grey.

As Jean screams and falls to the ground, Cyclops rushes over to catch her.
Meanwhile, the Beast summersaults in, kicking Amazo across it's head while Jubilee fires a cluster of sparkling energy into the androids body.

Amazo swings at the Beast, but misses the agile mutant. Before the android can make another move, he is engulfed in a large block of ice.

Before the team can celebrate, the ice begins to melt and steam. Suddenly, the block explodes apart as Amazo erupts into flames.

"Enough."

The android disappears in a golden blur.
At .01 of a second, Amazo rushes the Beast, grabs, him by the throat, and throws him away and over the mansion like rag doll.

At .12 seconds, Amazo backhands Jubilee and sends the young mutant skipping across the ground.

At .26 seconds, Amazo grabs Iceman by his head. While carrying Bobby Drake, Amazo lets loose a blast of heat vision at Rogue, sending her sailing backwards and crashing through a large window.

At .38 seconds, Amazo confronts Northstar. The mutant is quick, but Amazo is still faster. The android reaches out and palms Northstar by his face and smashes his head into Iceman's.
A cracking sound is heard as their skulls fracture, and Amazo tosses them both behind him to land sickly into the dirt.

At .49 seconds, Amazo comes to a stop in front of an atonished Scott Summers as he cradles an unconscious Jean in his arms.

"What are you."

"The future."

Amazo rears back it's fist, ready to smash Cyclop's head like a ripe mellon.

Before the android's fist can strike Cyclops, it stops. His fist drives right into my palm.

"The future?"

I slightly open up my mouth and blow, my breath starts to kick up a whirlwind, the android tries to pull away from me, but I hold on and keep on hitting him with my breath.

"Oh my stars and garters..."

Beast leads the rest of the X-Men away as I concentrate my breath on the android. In a matter of minutes, he's fully in cased in a block of ice.

"I believe you're stuck in the ice age."

 

[Byrd Man]

I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this.

"I have only done it with up to three other people, and the mansion is much to far for me to make it safely. Zhat kind of distance with passengers could kill them...or me."

I start to think about the possible solutions to our dilemma, when a light bulb goes off in my mind.

Did he just give up Batman's identity...?

"Vhat about taking them to Gotham, and to somewhere like Wayne Tower? Mr. Wayne was very generous to mutant kind. He would help wouldn't he?"

"Yeah, I remember him putting on that Mutant benefit. I tell you what, if you two can keep the slaves here. I'll go get him."

I deliver the alien princess' body into Nightcrawler's hands and turn to run as fast as I can from the farm.

"Dangit! What did I do?"

************

My motorcycle comes to a stop inside the batcave. As far as I can see, nobody is here. I pluck my helmet off and yell out into the darkness.

"Bruce! It's Dick! We got a...situation..."
​

 

[wiegeabo]

"Yeah, I remember him putting on that Mutant benefit. I tell you what, if you two can keep the slaves here. I'll go get him."

I deliver the alien princess' body into Nightcrawler's hands and turn to run as fast as I can from the farm.

"Dangit! What did I do?"

************

My motorcycle comes to a stop inside the batcave. As far as I can see, nobody is here. I pluck my helmet off and yell out into the darkness.

"Bruce! It's Dick! We got a...situation..."
​

2:20 a.m., two nights ago...

I close my eyes tightly, awareness slowly coming to me as the dream slips away. I crack open an eye and instantly regret it as the light on my nightstand flashes. I close my eye, but only for the instant it takes me to register that the red light was flashing.

I'm out of bed in an instant. The red light means someone is inside. Not the house, but inside the cave. I run down the stairs and to the grandfather clock. Setting the right time, the hidden latch comes undone and I head into the cave. I'm fairly certain what I'll find, but I'm ready for anything.

This time, I didn't need to be worried. "Robin," I say as I cross my arms over my chest.

 

[Byrd Man]

2:20 a.m., last night...

I close my eyes tightly, awareness slowly coming to me as the dream slips away. I crack open an eye and instantly regret it as the light on my nightstand flashes. I close my eye, but only for the instant it takes me to register that the red light was flashing.

I'm out of bed in an instant. The red light means someone is inside. Not the house, but inside the cave. I run down the stairs and to the grandfather clock. Setting the right time, the hidden latch comes undone and I head into the cave. I'm fairly certain what I'll find, but I'm ready for anything.

This time, I didn't need to be worried. "Robin," I say as I cross my arms over my chest.

"Yeah, hi...umm...you know my friends, Nightcrawler and Shadowcat?...well, we kinda put a thorn in Cobblepot's side tonight. We busted up the farm where he was keeping the slaves, sort of a way station before they were sold."

I swear, for a second there. I see a smile come across his face. It almost makes me feel bad to say what's next.

"But umm...we kinda need a place for them to stay...we can't get any of the X-Men on the phone...and seeing as how you're the local bazillionaire....we were wondering if you could umm...help...not as Batman, but as Bruce Wayne...cause I may or may not have let it slip that you're Batman to Nightcrawler...."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Yeah, hi...umm...you know my friends, Nightcrawler and Shadowcat?

"I'm familiar with them," I say gruffly.

...well, we kinda put a thorn in Cobblepot's side tonight. We busted up the farm where he was keeping the slaves, sort of a way station before they were sold."

I try not to smile. But the thought of that bastard getting a taste of what he deserves...I'd love to see his face when he gets the news. Especially since I'd be able to put my fist through it.

"But umm...we kinda need a place for them to stay...we can't get any of the X-Men on the phone...and seeing as how you're the local bazillionaire....we were wondering if you could umm...help...not as Batman, but as Bruce Wayne...cause I may or may not have let it slip that you're Batman to Nightcrawler...."

"Of course I'll help, Robin. It's the-You Did What?!"

 

[Byrd Man]

"Yeah, hi...umm...you know my friends, Nightcrawler and Shadowcat?

"I'm familiar with them," I say gruffly.

...well, we kinda put a thorn in Cobblepot's side tonight. We busted up the farm where he was keeping the slaves, sort of a way station before they were sold."

I try not to smile. But the thought of that bastard getting a taste of what he deserves...I'd love to see his face when he gets the news. Especially since I'd be able to put my fist through it.

"But umm...we kinda need a place for them to stay...we can't get any of the X-Men on the phone...and seeing as how you're the local bazillionaire....we were wondering if you could umm...help...not as Batman, but as Bruce Wayne...cause I may or may not have let it slip that you're Batman to Nightcrawler...."

"Of course I'll help, Robin. It's the-You Did What?!"

Now here comes the part where I feel two inches tall. I'm sure if Kitty where here, she'd say some joke about a two-inch Dick Grayson.

"I didn't come out and say it...but I...accidentally said your first name. I called you Bruce....but c'mon, for all he knows...I was talking about Bruce Jenner."

Wow..I'm way too young to know that name...

"But umm....name slip up aside...how about some help?"

Then I remember something else that I probably should tell him.

"Oh yeah, one of the slaves isn't a mutant. She's an alien princess named Koriand'r. She's from some planet called Tamaran."

Maybe, just maybe. Me using Koriand'r will make him forget about the fact that someone else knows his first name.

 

[wiegeabo]

One Month Ago

As Hunter struggles to breakfree, he watches the chaos around him. He sees the strongest heroes fight the massive villain not too far away. Hunter gazes in awe at the spectacle, both dazed and mesmorized.

Hunter hears Jay talking, exposing his plan to the time manipulator. Hunter is slowly pulled out of his paralyzed state, and brings himself back. He begins to laugh, starting slow but quickly escalating. As he laughs he feels the pain in his kidney from Jay's kick, causing him to end his chuckle. His grin changes back to a frown, and he quickly becomes filled with his rage.

[blackout]"YYou'rree bbluffinngg, JJayy." [/blackout]Hunter says with a hiss. [blackout]"YYouuhherroess wwouldd nneverruusenuccularwwarfaree."[/blackout] Jay points a head to the horizon, to a large object headed toward them. Hunter looks closely and sees the Green Arrow preparing his bows, readying himself for an attack. Behind him, Hunter sees someone he thought had left. Jay, the past form of him, stands with Green Arrow, both ready to begin their plan.

"Just look, Hunter." Jay says as he increases his grip on Hunter. "Does it look like I was bluffing?"

[blackout]"Rggh!" [/blackout]Hunter growls, grinding his teeth in frustration. [blackout]"DDamnnyoouu! DDammnyyoou!" [/blackout]Hunter uses his last bit of energy, tapping into the timestream carelessly. The world around Jay and Hunter goes through its familiar state, the world slows, everything becomes like a video being rewound and fastforwarded all at once.

The world around them begins to fade out as they fall into the timestream, the images of the heroes from the past melting away into darkness.

In only a matter of seconds, the two men are dropped back into the new present to them, a moment still caught in the past. With a violent jerk they come out of the timestream, their bodies both weakened from the hasten trip.

Hunter quickly gets his bearings, despite the powerful pain in his stomach from his "jump." As he feels Jay's grip weaken, he elbows the hero in his side. Hunter wriggles free from Jay's hold, and runs to a spot not to far away.

Hunter takes deeps breaths as he regains his consciousness fully, allowing his body to adjust to the current present. Hunter looks around the area, surveying the land to discover where he is.

[blackout]"I should've been more careful..."[/blackout] He says in a heavy breath. [blackout]"I can't keep making these hasty time shifts. It could take me to dangerous places...or dangerous times."[/blackout] Hunter looks over to Jay, an idea suddenly coming to his mind. He smiles at his newly contrived plan as he sees the hero quickly get his bearings. Hunter tenses his body, and immediately prepares himself for his last stand.

[blackout]"Okay Jay! That was a bad move on my part. I'm not going to make that mistake again!"[/blackout] Hunter taps into the timestream one last time, fusing his molecules out of the present, and into the continous circle of time. His body hazes as he speeds up to a rate not achievable by any man.

In a quick jog he moves toward Jay, taking him barely a half a second to move. He swings his fist and lands a strong upercut to the hero's jaw, knocking him to the ground. Hunter laughs as he stares at Jay, preparing himself for what comes next.

[blackout]"Alllrrightt, JJayy. IItt'ssttimee."[/blackout] Hunter leans down and grabs Jay by his throat. [blackout]"TTimmeiisssaaccirccleJayy. IIt'ssaatrack! II'mmggoinggttoottakkeyouufforraaridde! WwheereeverIIdroppyoou, wwheneverrIddroppyouu,"[/blackout] Hunter brings his face close to Jay's, an expression of anger and hatred on Hunter's face.[blackout] "YYouwiillddiee!" [/blackout]

The two men fall back into the timestream, the tunnel running through all realities, all presents, and all futures. Hunter laughs as they move through the tunnel, landing another punch to Jay, hitting him in the stomach.

[blackout] "RReaadyyfforrttheerriideoffyouurllife?" [/blackout]Hunter asks with a sneer. [blackout]"Onnlyonneoffussisggoinghommettonight!" [/blackout]

I struggle in Hunter's grasp, his grip cutting off my air. Everything's moving so fast. And then, suddenly, it's moving slowly.

The surprise on Hunter's face is priceless as I tap into my newfound hyperspeed and wrench his hand off my throat, twisting it back until the wrist breaks. Then I return the favor by grabbing him by the throat and slamming my forehead into his nose. "I guess they didn't tell you. I'm really fast now."

I headbutt him again and we suddenly fall out of the time stream hard. We're somewhere and somewhen, but I don't take the time to notice as I press my attack and drive my fist into Hunter's chin, sending him flying.

"Enough of this Hunter. It ends now."

 

[wiegeabo]

Now here comes the part where I feel two inches tall. I'm sure if Kitty where here, she'd say some joke about a two-inch Dick Grayson.

"I didn't come out and say it...but I...accidentally said your first name. I called you Bruce....but c'mon, for all he knows...I was talking about Bruce Jenner."

Wow..I'm way too young to know that name...

"But umm....name slip up aside...how about some help?"

Then I remember something else that I probably should tell him.

"Oh yeah, one of the slaves isn't a mutant. She's an alien princess named Koriand'r. She's from some planet called Tamaran."

Maybe, just maybe. Me using Koriand'r will make him forget about the fact that someone else knows his first name.[/quote]

An alien princess? I laugh inwardly. An giant purple alien being with unimaginable power landed in my city and tried to destroy the Earth. The presence of an alien princess doesn't even phase me.

I breath out, analyzing the situation. "My name isn't important. At least not now. I'll make arrangements for the children until I can get in touch with Professor Xavier."

"Give me their location and go back to them. I'll send Alfred to pick you all up. And once they're safe, we'll discuss how foolish it was for you three to go off on your own. I do have a plan."

Robin nods glumly and turns towards his bike. "Robin." He turns back.

"Good work," I say with a smile. Then walk upstairs to wake Alfred.

 

[Blacklight]

The hand disappears from Deadpool's gun.

"Hey!" I shout from the base of the tree as I vibrate the gun into pieces. "I don't know who you are, but Charles Xavier is a friend of mine. And I'd like to keep him that way a while longer."

Charles, I think. If you've got a safe room, get there. Now.

Thank you, Jason, I hear in my mind. I almost smile.

Never could get him to call me Jay.

Deadpool stared at the broken gun in his hands, before looking at the only remaining Flash at the base of the tree, and cursed himself.

"Damn $50 K-Mart guns. Should've listened to Tom Cruise when he said 'K-Mart sucks'."

With the Flash below and a plethora of other heroes around that can easily apprehend him, Deadpool took one giant leap into Xavier's office, pulling out his katana, about to cut off the Professor's head...

"Now can you hurry up and get ready to die already? I have to get home so I can watch 'The People's Court'."

Wade then raised the blade high in the air, ready to strike...

"Ten minutes to Wapner!"

 

[wiegeabo]

Deadpool stared at the broken gun in his hands, before looking at the only remaining Flash at the base of the tree, and cursed himself.

"Damn $50 K-Mart guns. Should've listened to Tom Cruise when he said 'K-Mart sucks'."

With the Flash below and a plethora of other heroes around that can easily apprehend him, Deadpool took one giant leap into Xavier's office, pulling out his katana, about to cut off the Professor's head...

"Now can you hurry up and get ready to die already? I have to get home so I can watch 'The People's Court'."

Wade then raised the blade high in the air, ready to strike...

"Ten minutes to Wapner!"

"I don't believe it." I'm in such disbelief, I don't even stop this madman's leap into the office. Knowing I can't keep taking away weapon after weapon with Amazo around, I decide to remove the problem completely.

As Deadpool's blade swings around, it hits nothing but air. Two hallways down the mansion, and I haven't slowed down. Charles looks up at me as I push his chair.

"Jason."

"Charles."

"...Pietro asked you to talk to Erik?!" he says in confusion.

"I thought you didn't read someone's mind without permission."

"You're essentially broadcasting the thought."

"Well, I haven't been around many telepaths lately. I'm out of practice. You still have that safe room downstairs?"

"I've made some defensive improvements, but yes."

"Good. I have a feeling we'll need it."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Simon Williams

After about an hour of listening to me scream at him for losing our contract with Kord Industries, even though I know it was far from his fault, my brother gathered his files and folders and he left. He said he'd be back when I calm down and we'd be able to discuss it. Don't see the point, to be honest, we're f****ed.

Two years and we've buried the company it took our father a lifetime to build from the ground up.

Here's to you, dad. I think to myself as I raise my glass, before downing the entire thing.

I grab the bottle of Jack Daniels by the neck and sloppily pour more into my glass, a very small portion of the alcohol hitting the glass. I drop the now empty bottle on the desk and it makes a loud clanking noise before falling to the floor. I empty the glass into my mouth and sigh. I rub my throbbing head, closing my eyes and trying as hard I can to think of a solution.

""#$%%!" I shout as I stand up from the chair, knocking it back, and hurling the glass at the wall. It shatters into a hundred little pieces.

I've often been told, always by my brother since he's the one person who has the guts to talk to me like I'm not a child, that when I drink I do stupid things. Very, very stupid things.

-------

After getting through the receptionist, the dial tone sounds like an alarm blaring in my head. Finally, after waiting for a few seconds, someone on the other end picks up the phone. With a smarmy, dismissive and condescending voice, he speaks into the receiver. "Yeah, this is Stark. Simon, you old dog, how are you?"

God, I want to kill him. "Don..Don't talk to me like we're friends, Stark." I speak agitatedly, partially slurring my words.

"Simon, I'm going to give you the opportunity to hang up and get back to your bottle." he says, and I can hear it in his voice that he's smiling that self-important grin. "You don't want to have this conversation right now."

"NO! Your goddamn right I want to have this conversation right now, you son of a *****!" I shoot back immediately. "What gives you the goddamn right! That contract was mine! I need it! I need it, but you just want it, and you STOLE it from me!"

I can hear him sighing on the other end. "Simon. You know, you should know, better than most that business is not personal. And the contract with Kord Industries is something I could not let go, I'm sorry."

"No you're not. You're not sorry. You don't even know the goddamn meaning of the word."

"Fine, you know what? You're right. I'm not sorry. This is business, Simon. Stop acting like a petulant child, and wrap your head around that." he says, raising his voice, almost taking on my tone of voice.

"I swear to God, Stark..."

"Simon, listen. I know Williams Innovations is going through some rough times. Not to sound too blunt, but it's only a matter of time before you go belly-up. I've been following your stock, and...and to be honest, your father would have never let me steal that contract from under his nose."

The mention of my father only serves to make me angrier. "Your father was a friend of mine. A good friend. I'm going to extend to you the same courtesy I believe your father would have done for me if the tables were turned. I'll buy you out."

"What?" I ask dumbstruck, not sure I heard what I think I heard. "What did you just say?"

"Let me make Williams Innovations a part of Stark Industries. I give you my word, no employees will be let go, and the name will stay exactly the same. It'll always be Williams Innovations, it'll just be a subsidiary of Stark Industries." he says. I can hear he actually means it.

"Go to hell. You'll regret this, Stark. I'm going to make you sorry for this." I mutter threateningly into the receiver.

After a few seconds of silence, followed by a deep sigh from Stark, he simply states "Your father would be so disappointed in you." and it hurts more than any words have the right to. The line clicks, and my senses are again filled with the mocking screech of the dial tone.

I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill Tony Stark.


​

 

[Carnage27]

"Yeah, I remember him putting on that Mutant benefit. I tell you what, if you two can keep the slaves here. I'll go get him."

I deliver the alien princess' body into Nightcrawler's hands and turn to run as fast as I can from the farm.

"Dangit! What did I do?"

I take the newcomer's unconscious body from Robin, and watch as he runs off to get help from Bruce Wayne. Batman. It makes so much sense. I can worry about that later though. I've got children to take care of.

"Kitty, ve have to get zhem farther away from zhe farm. Who knows if reinforcements vere called."

Koriand'r begins to stir in my arms, and she looks up into my eyes.

"Hello, princess, are you okay?"