One Universe: Season IV IC Thread

[Keyser Soze]

The robots walked into the arena silent given the audience a time to marvel at their presence, they looked like something made from an alien being not by the United States Government. It was an amazing site but the only person who did not look impressed at all was Iron Man who stood their impatiently wanting to destroy the machines.

"Now ladies and gentlemen.....let the battle begin!"

Right, let's get this show on the road.

"You stay in here, Mr. President, we wouldn't want you to do yourself a damage pretending to be a superhero."

I launch out of the dome into the park outside, where the Sentinels await me. I start with a flurry of repulsor blasts at the three of them, testing them out.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

A Hard Day's Night ~ Part 2​

The Flash paused as he caught his breath.
The Keystone Motors assembly plant was falling apart around him, the price for his battle with Peek-A-Boo. The reluctant Rogue was a handful, but Wally was able to put her down by overloading her power. Lashawn couldn't handle the constant teleportations and eventually passed out from the strain.

Now, all that was left was to deal with Girder. A fact that became all the more apparent when a large pick up truck flew through the air towards him.

Wally sighed and shook his head as he calmly stood tall and stretched. He reached his hands forward, cracking his knuckles, then followed up by cracking his neck.
Then the Flash strolled out of the way as the truck slowly came crashing down where he once stood.

"Seriously, Girder", the Flash mockingly yawned as the sneering Rogue came at him.
"You're going to have to pick up the pace."

"This is just sad", Wally shook his head as he easily avoiding the haymakers being thrown his way by an increasingly frustrated Girder.

"Stand still, dammit!"

"Yeah, I'll get right on that", the Flash laughed as he continued to dodge Girder's attacks.

"You know, you're a pretty tough guy, Girder", Wally commented as he reached back with his right, his hand beginning to vibrate.
"I bet you can take a little extra mass..."

The Flash's fist connected with Girder's jaw, and the villain is sent flying up through the roof. The metallic menace flies through the afternoon sky and comes crash landing into the river just outside the plant.

"Okay, that's two more down-", Wally begins to say, but is interrupted by the sound of a television turning on.

Wally turns around to see a large TV set sitting on a crate, a mass of shadows scurrying away from it.
On the television was a woman tied to a chair.

"Hello, my name is Linda Park, reporter for Channel Four news. Whatever you do, don't give into these-"

The woman was cut short by a powerful backhand by the Top that sent her falling sideways to the floor.

"I hate it when they don't stick to the script", chuckled the Trickster as he came into the picture.

"Hello, Twin Cities", James Jesse smiled.
"You all know who I am, so I'll skip to the heart of the matter. Ms. Park is safe, for now. But, if the Flash does not come to his museum in five minutes, that will change."

"I hope you don't show, Flash", the Top smiled.
"I am looking forward to spending some 'quality time' with Linda Park."

"Also, if I see any cops within even a mile of the Flash Museum, Ms. Park here will suffer. This is a private party, after all. Don't want any crashers."

"Better hurry, Flash", the Trickster winked into the camera, "clock is a-tickin'!"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

A Hard Day's Night ~ Part 3​

"Also, if I see any cops within even a mile of the Flash Museum, Ms. Park here will suffer. This is a private party, after all. Don't want any crashers."

"Better hurry, Flash...clock is a-tickin'!"

"God dammit, Jesse", Cold frowned as he turned off the television.

"Hey! I was watchin' that! 'Sides, what's th' problem? If these lads can take out Flasher, then we should be cheerin' 'em on."

"Don't be an idiot, McCulloch", Cold said as he stood up from his chair and walked over to room's sole table.
"These morons are stirring up trouble. Gonna do nothin' but bring down more heat on all our heads. Especially if they actually kill the Flash."

"So...what", Flint Marko, the Sandman, looked at Cold with a puzzled look.
"We should be pulling for the Flash?"

"If they kill the Flash, that will bring every cape in the business breathing down our necks. No way in hell am I dealing with that ****."

"Ain't a whole lot we can do about that now", Weather Wizard shrugged.

"I don't know about that.."

"McCulloch, I want you at the Flash Museum, but stay hidden. If the Flash looks like he's in trouble, give him a discreet hand", the Captain turned to look at the Mirror Master who was reclining on the couch in front of the television.

"Aye, aye, Cap'n", McCulloch signed and gave a salute as he stood and stretched.

"Today, McCulloch."

"Oy, keep yer pants on", the Mirror Master replied as he strolled towards a large mirror leaning on the wall.

"Inta wonderland I go", he smirked and stepped into the mirror, disappearing from the hideout.

"He's a strange bastard...", Marko stated as he shook his head.

"Yeah, you are right about that, Sandy. But the guy's got talent", the Mardon smirked.

"I told you not to call me that", Sandman scowled.

"Both of you shut the **** up", Cold shouted.
"Turn the TV back on and put it on the news...I want to see what happens."

 

[Blacklight]

As Ion's ever familiar trek from Earth to the blue side of the moon, he noticed something wrong...

[blackout]"My god..."[/blackout] Kyle muttered as he looked at the destruction, and upon the cracked ground that the path of destruction had left behind, lied the Inhumans, all unconscious and tremendously injured.

[blackout]Who could possibly have done this?[/blackout] he wondered as he followed the trail of ruin to the palace, and down it's halls he noticed the path was all to similar to the path he himself always took to get to--

[blackout]"The Battery! Ganthet!"[/blackout]

Increasing his flight speed in haste, Ion was in the Attilinian study, or lack thereof, in mere moments. Horrified at what he found, no less...

[blackout]"Ganthet!"[/blackout]

"Lantern... Rayner..."

[blackout]"Ganthet are you okay? Who did this to you?"[/blackout]

"The... Mad Titan..."

[blackout]"Thanos..."[/blackout] Kyle snarled in realization. [blackout]"Is he still in the palace?"[/blackout]

"Yes..." Ganthet struggled as he was losing breath. "He's..."

[blackout]"What, Ganthet? Where is he? Why is here?"[/blackout]

"He's... in search of..."

[blackout]"What? In search of what?"[/blackout]

But Ganthet couldn't answer... For that was his last breath. The Last Guardian of the Universe... Defeated at the hands of Thanos of Titan.

As the rage built up inside him, Kyle raced off to locate, and hopefully stop the rogue Eternal. And quickly enough, he found him.

Before Thanos even knew someone was behind him, Ion seized the oppurtunity for a surprise attack by blasting Thanos behind with a massive discharge or Power Cosmic-infused emerald energy. One that sent him sumbling forward, garbbing his attention away long enough for Kyle to get him to notice him.

[blackout]"Hey, Prune-chin! Whatever it is you're looking for, you're going to have to go through me to get it..."[/blackout]

 

[Carnage27]

*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*

My alarm startles me, and I half jump out of bed. I rush into the bathroom and get ready for my trip to Gotham. I put my costume on afterward, and web-sling out of my bedroom window, my bag slung across my back.

"Crapcrapcrapcrap, gonna be late!"

It doesn't take me long to get across town, and I rush up to the train doors, sticking my arm in as they try to close, and slip into the train before it makes for Gotham.

I slide into a seat an exhale, excited for the trip ahead of me.

*******

Norman Osborn paces in his study, a glass of whiskey held tightly in his hands.

"The boy is Spider-Man, Normy," a voice echoes through his head.

Norman searches the room frantically for the strange, yet familiar, sound, "Who's there?"

"You know who I am, Norman. You created me. And together we'll reshape this city. This nation. Bust first we must take care of the boy..."

*******

The train glides to a halt at the Gotham station, and I hop out of my seat, my butt thoroughly asleep.

I exit the train, and feel a pair of arms wrap around my back, and a kiss on my cheek, "Hey, stranger."

I spin around and see Barbara standing there looking great. I simply smile and give her a kiss back, and we walk into Gotham City.

It's gonna be a good weekend.
​

 

[Carnage27]

"No," I say crumpling up another potential plan to deal with Gordon.

I've been going over things in my mind, and it's just...not me. That must be the problem. I've been planning. I never plan. I just do things.

A broad smile creeps across my face, "Yea...I'm just gonna wing this one."

My laughter echoes through the room as I spin around in the chair I'm sitting in.
​

 

[wiegeabo]

I pounce off the roof behind Bruce, spinning through the air and firing off my grapnel at the nearest rooftop, swinging from it beside Bruce.

"I was kind of wondering when Joker would show his freaky face again."

We continue to swing out over the night streets, people starting to look up, to only see our silhouettes gliding on.

"I was hoping he never would." Hoping, but not believing. For some reason, the Joker seems to have an affinity for causing mayhem in Gotham, and for pushing Robin and I specifically. But we'll stop him again.

Once we find him.

But it won't be now. Robin and I arrive at the station too late. The fire department's already working on the flames, likely destroying whatever evidence Joker and his men may have left behind.

All we can do is wait for the fires to be doused and hope something useful has survived. On the street, Gordon's men arrive, the uniforms establishing a perimeter to keep out the onlookers. The detectives talking with the fire department, waiting for the all clear. Just like us.

I pull a video communicator from my belt. "Alfred..."

"I thought you would be contacting me, sir."

"What happened?"

"It was horrible, sir. Give me one moment and..." The screen suddenly cuts away from Alfred and to the Joker's sick, twisted face. Robin and I can only watch as he uses Mike Engel's disfigured corpse for his own amusement. If I could reach through the screen and wring his neck I would.

When the Joker's feed ends, I shut down the line. "We go in as soon as the fire department finishes. Hopefully we'll find something useful."

 

[Red_Robin77]

"Sure thing," I mutter to Bruce, still staring at the now blank video communicator.

After a second, I realise what I'm doing and look back up, watching as the firefighters talk with the police. I could tell Bruce was fuming. You didn't have to be the World's Greatest frickin' Detective to figure that out. Especially not if you hang around him long enough. The fire seems to be almost under control when I tap Bruce's arm.

"It's now or never, Batman."

With that, I pull out my grapple and aim it at the building and fire the line off. Time to sort this mess.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Tønsberg, Norway
An old library

The green mist swirled around the room, carrying the astral projection of Loki with it.

"I am here to propose an alliance. I will show you a means to hurt my brother Thor deeply, and let you take your revenge on him. Together, we will set a trap for him from which he will not escape. In exchange for this gesture of unity, I will assist you in eliminating your own nuisance brother."

Quite the opportunity has come before the Ocean Master. An opportunity far too rare to pass up. His quest to find the Bones of Ullr as of late have been thwarted by Aquaman, adding yet another defeat to the villain's plans for conquest of the seas. Surely if the ocean were rid of the yellow-hair Orm Marius could wander without interruption and claim all the mysteries and treasures of the ocean depths. He can reign supreme, his namesake as the Ocean Master being that much more accurate.

Though it is difficult to trust a stranger. Although, this Loki has a hatred for his brother Thor which rivals that of Orm's hatred for Aquaman. Is much more really required other than that? Should someone help Orm dispose of Aquaman he would in turn grant them something just the same. There's really nothing for Orm to lose. In the end, the battle for supremacy over the waters of Atlantis and the rest of the oceans will be over as Orm would remain victorious. Course, he'd prefer it if they could dispose of Aquaman first but the former Sea King's time will come.

"You offer a most tempting of offers, sir Loki. I do believe that we may be able to help each other out."

 

[Byrd Man]

It's nigh on midnight when I park my car into the driveway. Another late night and another empty house to greet me. Barbara is staying at her friends house this week. My cop instincts tingle a bit at that, but I don't push it. If my daughter is up to something dangerous, I'll know.

Between the Joker's antics tonight and the stall in the Two-Face case, It's safe to say I've had better days.

I'm so preoccupied with all that went on today, I don't notice that the front door is ajar until I step on the porch.

My brain races through a thousand different scenarios as I pull my gun out the shoulder holster. Everything from lowly dope fiends, all the way up to Joker and Two-Face.

I quietly crack open the living room door and squint through the darkness. The room seems clear. The light blinks on and I swivel my gun to face the intruder.

"Jim!"

I pull down my gun and look at the intruder.

It's my wife...my ex-wife I guess you could say.

"What's going on?"

"We just got in...Jimmy and I. I took him upstairs to his bedroom."

"What are you doing here?"

"I decided to come back home...to try and make things work for our kids."

"I assumed the divorce papers meant the chance to work things out ended."

"I never signed them. I have them in my purse right now. I'm prepared to rip them up."

I slide my gun into the holster and look towards the open door. I slowly slide my glasses off and rub my eyes.

"I don't know....I just don't know."

"Jim, honey...I want our life back."

"I understand. I do...but you know that my life is also tied to this city, and the horrors that come with it."

"I thought about that on the drive here....but you know what I decided?"

She comes in close, our lips touch and kiss.

"I said 'screw it'. My life without you, that's a horror."
​

 

[Eddie Brock]

SUPERGIRL

The Annual Smallville High School Activities Fair. It's a time to learn about the many extracurricular activities offered at the high school. It's a time to put yourself out there and meet new people. It's a time to explore new interests and develop new hobbies. Or, if you have the mindset of most Smallville High students, it's a time to get out of class.

Truth be told, I'm no different.

"Trust me. Nothing exciting ever happens at the Activities Fair," Jessica Jones, my newest - and truly only - friend at Smallville, assures me. She and I wander aimlessly through the gymnasium, which is filled with booths for each and every activity. While I at least make the attempt to look over some of them, Jessica merely trudges onward, looking for a place to hang out.

If there's one thing that Smallville High has - surprisingly - it's variety. I scan the handmade banners bearing each activity's name. Model UN. Chess Club. Yearbook Club. Student Newspaper. Art Club. Student Government.

Suddenly, Jessica groans. "Oh, don't look now. Here they come."

"Who?" I ask, spinning to face the direction that she's turned away from. The gymnasium doors burst open, and a group waltzes in. Dressed in tops which bear the letters "SHS," short skirts, and white sneakers, the group of girls our age jumps and dances around as they enter the gym.

"Cheerleaders," Jessica mutters under her breath.

I, however, am mesmerized. Something about these girls - the outfits they're wearing, the way they look, their general peppy attitude - makes me want to stand alongside them. So, much to Jessica's horror, I approach them with a big smile on my face.

"Hi! I want to be a cheerleader!"
​

 

[wiegeabo]

I have to say, I'm really impressed with all the work Tony has put into upgrading the Brownstone. He's obviously spared no expense. She's now a state of the art building, putting us in touch with virtually every law enforcement agency in the country, and more than a few around the world. If something starts to happen that needs our attention, we'll know about it in minutes or sooner.

And I have no idea how to use it.

Seriously, I couldn't even figure out how to turn the system on. It took twenty mintues for me to even realize that it's always on. Mental note: have Tony take us all through how to actually use the system. For now, I just let it do whatever it's doing. Hopefully it'll pop up if there's any trouble.

Two hours later and I've spent an hour talking with Joan on the phone and finished my fiftieth crossword puzzle. It's a quiet night. As much as we needed systems for monitor duty, I forgot something important about it. It can be completely boring.

And I know that boring is actually a good thing. But, it's, well, boring. Suddenly alarms and lights start going off in the computer room and I instantly regret my last train of thought.

I'm instantly in the room, and wondering what buttons to push. I'm about fifty buttons in before the computer responds and a news report comes up. And what I see makes me wish I was still just doing crossword puzzles...

 

[Shlee]

"Peter!"

Barbara smiled warmly as she threw her arms around Peter Parker's neck. She squeezed him tightly, and then stepped backwards, her hands pressing against Peter's chest.

"It's good to see you. How have you been?" She slipped her right hand into Peter's left, turning towards the exit from the train station. "Where would you like to go?"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

[blackout]"Hey, Prune-chin! Whatever it is you're looking for, you're going to have to go through me to get it..."[/blackout]

"If death is what you desire, it will be my pleasure to assist you."

The Titan's eyes crackled with energy and two beams of cosmic power came shooting out and blasting Rayner square on, and knocking him out of the air.

 

[Carnage27]

A dank, dirty smell fills my nostrils as I come to, and a pain throbs in the back of my skull. I open my eyes, and find myself lying on a floor covered in straw and soot, and iron bars all around me. I sit up and try to shake the haze out of my eyes.

The first thing that catches my gaze is the form of Amara hanging by her wrists in irons, head drooped down, her long blond hair falling in front of her face.

I stumble to my feet, catching my balance on the bars of my cage, " Amara...are you okay?"

Weakly, her head raises, showing a tear stained face, "Yes...yes, I am fine."

I furrow my brow, " No, you're not. Vhat have zhey done to you?"

"Nothing yet," she sobs. "But they plan to sacrifice me to the priestess."

"Yes, girl, we do. And once you're gone, your father and your blue boyfriend will follow," threatens a new voice from the door of the dungeon.

" Let me guess, zhe Black Priestess?" I say in a mocking tone. "By zhe way you're dressed, I'm going to guess it's laundry day and you have nothing left to wear?"

She turns to me, and walks up to my prison, "You are funny...X-Man. Yes I know who you are. Surprised, Kurt?"

Why yes I am you crazily dressed stripper.

"I have left the walls of Nova Roma many a time. I know who you are, I know who sent you here, and I know he and your little team are blind to the many threats that even now plot against you. And yes...it was me who blocked your teleporting."

A group of guards follow her into the prison and begin to unhook Amara from the wall, " If you hurt her, I vill kill you. I promise."

"Oh, how cute, X-Man. Always playing the hero. But you won't be rushing in to save the day this time. And you will watch as she suffers," two guards open my cage and bind my hands, forcing me out the door and into a cave like hallway.

"I'm sorry, Kurt," Amara says weakly. "If it was not for me, you wouldn't be in this mess."

" If I vas not in this mess, I vould be in another one," I say with a half-smile. "It's kind of vhat I do."

We walk for what seems like ages down cavernous hallways, the entire time getting hotter and hotter. Eventually, the caverns gave way to a huge atrium-like room, with a crevice in the center. I peer down it as I pass, and see that at its bottom is magma, flowing red hot.

"Father!" Amara yells. I see her father chained to a post, and the guards handling me chain me up next to him.

"Selene, you demonesse. Let my daughter be!" he yells at the black priestess.

"Oh, Senator Aquilla, we are much past that point," Selen mocks as she walks over to Amara. "Such a beautiful girl. Almost a shame to have to sacrifice you, but I must have a soul to stay alive."

Amara simply spits in the priestess's face. The woman retaliates by slapping the blond across the face, "Cur, how dare you?! Throw her in!"

The guards push Amara closer to the pit, " No!"

She tumbles over the side, and a tear rolls down my cheek, " You monster! She did nothing, and you killed her in cold blood! God should strike you down where you stand!"

Selene merely struts up to me, running her hand down my face, "My dear X-Man...God cannot touch me. I've lived for hundreds of years, and I'll live for hundreds more."

She motions to the guards, "Throw them in with the brat."

As the soldiers take Amara's father and I towards the pit, the ground beneath us begins to quake, and fire sprouts from the magma. I fight against the grasp of the soldier holding me, and manage to free myself, kicking them back.

As I spin to face my captors, a column of molten rock sprouts from the crevasse and slams into the soldiers, flinging them against the wall of the cavern. The liquid earth washes over the floor, and a form stands up, fire dripping from its appendages.

The black priestess flees from the cavern as the fire peels off the figure, revealing Amara underneath.

“Amara!” I yell, racing towards her. “You’re okay!”

“Yes, Kurt. Now I think we should get out of here. Father, follow us,” she sys motioning towards the man standing next to me.

He smiles and pats her head, “No child. You must escape. I must stay here and try to protect our people from the priestess’s wrath.”

“Father I can’t leave without you!”

“Child, you must. Your destiny lies outside of this city. Now go. I love you, daughter.”

“I love you too, father.”




After traveling back through the jungle and returning to Blink’s portal, the two of us reappear in Professor X’s office, where he was sitting, waiting for us, “Ah, Amara. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“And I you, Professor.”

“Come,” he says motioning to her, “I have a lot to catch you up on. I think you’ll find life in our world is much different from the one you are accustomed to.”

“Professor, I have need to talk to you about the mission.”

“Yes, Kurt, I understand. I will send Amara for you when I want to debrief you.”

 

[wiegeabo]

Robin and I pick through what's left of the studio. Everything seems to have either been burnt to a crisp, flooded, or both. Even the bodies have been left nothing more than charred, twisted versions of the people they used to be.

Robin and I carefully pick our way through the debris, looking for anything useful. I crouch down near the remains of Mike Engle. I grind my teeth at the Joker's work. There seem to be no limits to how far he is willing to go.

I start looking through his jacket pockets when there's a sudden gust of wind and the sound of numerous footsteps. I recognize the sound immediately and continue my work without looking up. "What are you doing here?"

"I was on duty when the alert came down. Thought I could help," Garrick says.

"By running through a crime scene at superspeed and destroying evidence?"

Garrick looks around in confusion. "You think any evidence survived all this?"

"We won't know until we've looked," I say, annoyed at his interference.

Garrick looks around, afraid to move or touch anything. "How can I help?"

"By doing exactly what your doing."

"Nothing?"

"Exactly."

 

[Red_Robin77]

Robin and I pick through what's left of the studio. Everything seems to have either been burnt to a crisp, flooded, or both. Even the bodies have been left nothing more than charred, twisted versions of the people they used to be.

Robin and I carefully pick our way through the debris, looking for anything useful. I crouch down near the remains of Mike Engle. I grind my teeth at the Joker's work. There seem to be no limits to how far he is willing to go.

I start looking through his jacket pockets when there's a sudden gust of wind and the sound of numerous footsteps. I recognize the sound immediately and continue my work without looking up. "What are you doing here?"

"I was on duty when the alert came down. Thought I could help," Garrick says.

"By running through a crime scene at superspeed and destroying evidence?"

Garrick looks around in confusion. "You think any evidence survived all this?"

"We won't know until we've looked," I say, annoyed at his interference.

Garrick looks around, afraid to move or touch anything. "How can I help?"

"By doing exactly what your doing."

"Nothing?"

"Exactly."

I move aside a piece of debris, looking for anything helpful. I look towards Bruce and the Flash as Bruce tries to get rid of him. I let out a small sigh as I keep going. I never really get why Bruce doesn't like outside help. I go up to Bruce, trying to not let the Flash hear.

"Ur, Batman, this guy's one of the fastest men alive, right? Maybe he could search the rest of the building?" I mutter to him.

It was an idea. This was probably the main room Bruce wanted to check, but there could be evidence all over the place. It's win-win. Bruce gets his crime scene, and the Flash helps out without bothering Bruce. Of course, this means reaching out to Bruce's good nature, and on a night like tonight, that's not always available.

 

[Eddie Brock]

SUPERGIRL

Day one of cheerleading tryouts. Twenty-one other girls - and myself - line up anxiously, waiting for the cheerleaders to arrive. Some of them make small talk, which I can't help but overhear. Some girls have been cheerleading their whole lives; some haven't. Some girls have older sisters who have been on the team. I keep to myself, trying to remember everything I saw on YouTube. With no prior experience, I needed to do my own research.

"Alright, ladies!" a loud, high-pitched voice announces from across the football field. The group falls silent as the cheerleaders approach. "I'm Cassidy, and for the next week, we run your life." Sounds a little melodramatic. "Smallville High School prides itself on a fine tradition of cheerleading excellence. We routinely perform at the highest level of cheerleading competition, and we have been repeating State Champions for how many years, Amanda?"

"Eight," another cheerleader answers obediently.

"That's right. Eight years. And we intend to keep that streak alive, meaning that we will only accept the very best of you into the coveted varsity team." Cassidy, Amanda, and the other cheerleaders now stand directly in front of us. "For those of you who don't meet the standard, there are always spots open on the JV team." At this, some of the cheerleaders scoff. "And if you can't even make that, well..."

The cheerleaders laugh amongst themselves.

Cassidy clears her throat and begins speaking again. "You will be judged on appearance, creativity, athleticism, and - most importantly - spirit. Anyone can smile and wave pom-poms. That is why we will run you through a variety of tests - including pop quizzes." Cassidy points to one of the hopefuls. "What is the Smallville High mascot?"

Hesitantly, as if expecting it to be a trick question, the girl answers, "Umm...the Crows?"

"Correct. Don't expect all the questions to be that easy," she warns. "Now, if that's all, we'll have a brief meet-and-greet before we get down to the nitty-gritty." She waits to see if anyone has any objections. When silence ensues, she smiles brightly and says, "Alright, then! Good luck, everyone!"

Amanda approaches me, smiling. "Hi! I'm Amanda." She thrusts her hand towards me, her smile never faltering.

I smile back and shake her hand. "Hi. Kara."

"Kara?" she repeats, checking that she's got it right. I nod and she nods back. "Welcome to tryouts, Kara. Don't worry about Cassidy. Her bark's worse than her bite. She only acts this way around the recruits." Amanda pauses and seems to stare at me. "Hey, has anyone ever told you that you'd look great as a blonde?"
​

 

[Carnage27]

"It's good to see you. How have you been?" She slipped her right hand into Peter's left, turning towards the exit from the train station. "Where would you like to go?"

I squeeze Bab's hand, "I was thinking we could go drop off my stuff at your place."

I smile at her, "And then maybe catch a movie?"

*****

It's a quick ride over to the Gordon's house, and Babs and I talk the entire way, just like it used to be. We get out of the car and stroll hand in hand up to the front door, where someone I didn't expect.

"Barbara!" her mother rushes out and gives her a giant hug and kiss. "And you must be Peter!" she gives me a bear hug that rivals a super villain's.

"Yes, ma'am," I respond.

"So polite. Come in you two."

I look over at Babs with a look of amazement.
​

 

[Blacklight]

"If death is what you desire, it will be my pleasure to assist you."

The Titan's eyes crackled with energy and two beams of cosmic power came shooting out and blasting Rayner square on, and knocking him out of the air.

Crashing to the ground, Kyle's body ached in pain, but the Power Cosmic quickly made the pain dissapate as it coursed through his body and recovered.

[blackout]"I'm going to make you pay for killing Ganthet, you monster!"[/blackout]

Getting back up, Ion released a powerful wave of emerald, cosmic energy in a wide arc that knocked the Titan off his feet.

 

[Carnage27]

I pace back and forth in a dingy room in the Narrows, rubbing my chin with a gloved hand. So far I've got nothing to break Gordon with.

"I could just kill him," I mumble to myself. "Ohhhh....but that would be so cliched!"

I sit down and slam my head and fists into my desk, half laughing as I do it. I spin around in my chair for a bit until one of my men rushes though the door.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone?"

He skids to a halt in front of me, "I know boss, but we got big news about the commissioner!"

I perk up at this, "What?"

"His wife and son came back to town. One of our boys over at the MCU says they're gonna try and work out the marrige!"

My lips form a hideous smile, "Hahahahahahaha! My man I could kiss you! I won't who knows where you've been, but you get what I mean!"

Oh yes commissioner. I will break you.
​

 

[Keyser Soze]

Tønsberg, Norway
An old library


Quite the opportunity has come before the Ocean Master. An opportunity far too rare to pass up. His quest to find the Bones of Ullr as of late have been thwarted by Aquaman, adding yet another defeat to the villain's plans for conquest of the seas. Surely if the ocean were rid of the yellow-hair Orm Marius could wander without interruption and claim all the mysteries and treasures of the ocean depths. He can reign supreme, his namesake as the Ocean Master being that much more accurate.

Though it is difficult to trust a stranger. Although, this Loki has a hatred for his brother Thor which rivals that of Orm's hatred for Aquaman. Is much more really required other than that? Should someone help Orm dispose of Aquaman he would in turn grant them something just the same. There's really nothing for Orm to lose. In the end, the battle for supremacy over the waters of Atlantis and the rest of the oceans will be over as Orm would remain victorious. Course, he'd prefer it if they could dispose of Aquaman first but the former Sea King's time will come.

"You offer a most tempting of offers, sir Loki. I do believe that we may be able to help each other out."

"Excellent. Now, allow me to tell you about a man called Donald Blake..."

 

[Keyser Soze]

Right, let's get this show on the road.

"You stay in here, Mr. President, we wouldn't want you to do yourself a damage pretending to be a superhero."

I launch out of the dome into the park outside, where the Sentinels await me. I start with a flurry of repulsor blasts at the three of them, testing them out.

The first Sentinel grabs me around the waist with its giant hand, and starts to squeeze. It doesn't get to squeeze too much, mind, as a unibeam blast from my chest puts a hole through its head. Its grip on me loosens away before it collapses to the ground in a lifeless heap.

"One down."

The second and third Sentinel fire a series of concussive blasts at me, rocking me for a moment. These things have some serious firepower behind them, I can't get cocky! So I take the evasive approach, flying a circuit around the city and letting the lumbering robots try and pursue me. If it's one thing they really lack that I have - well, there's a lot of things they lack that I have, but if there's one that's really obvious - it's speed.

I loop around, doing a grand circle around the Lexcorp Tower, only to find myself face-to-face with a Sentinel. Its AI had told it that the most logical course of action when facing such a fast-moving target was not to try and catch up, but to stand still and wait for said fast-moving target to come to it. It launched a full-scale assault, unloading an arsenel of hi-tech projectiles in my direction.

Of course, they were never going to hit me, I evade them easily. The Sentinel that had been chasing me around Lexcorp Tower, however... not so lucky. Blasted to smithereens by its own compatriot. That's the other obvious thing these Sentinels lack that I have: brains.

"Two down."

I turn and give a wave to the crowd observing below. My one mistake. My momentary lapse in focus, combined with me underestimating the reflexes of these machines, means that the third and final Sentinel is able to hit me with a devastating swipe, sending me spiralling into the ground. I hit the grass of Metropolis Park, hard, putting a crater in the ground. And before I can recover, the Sentinel's giant foot is brought crashing down over the hole I've just plummeted into.

The crowd observing fall silent. They think it's over, that I've been crushed to a pulp. They're wrong. The Sentinel shudders, twitches, convulses. Then I burst out through it's stomach, pulling a trail of wires and circuits with me. The last Sentinel's hollowed-out leg crumbles under it, and the battered shell crumbles and falls into a heap like so much scrap metal.

"Three down. Third strike.... and you're out!"

I descend back into the dome to rapturous applause. I soak it all in, before retracting the visor over my helmet, and turning to face a fuming Lex Luthor.

"Well then, Mr. President.... I believe we had a deal."

 

[Karem-Knight]

The first Sentinel grabs me around the waist with its giant hand, and starts to squeeze. It doesn't get to squeeze too much, mind, as a unibeam blast from my chest puts a hole through its head. Its grip on me loosens away before it collapses to the ground in a lifeless heap.

"One down."

The second and third Sentinel fire a series of concussive blasts at me, rocking me for a moment. These things have some serious firepower behind them, I can't get cocky! So I take the evasive approach, flying a circuit around the city and letting the lumbering robots try and pursue me. If it's one thing they really lack that I have - well, there's a lot of things they lack that I have, but if there's one that's really obvious - it's speed.

I loop around, doing a grand circle around the Lexcorp Tower, only to find myself face-to-face with a Sentinel. Its AI had told it that the most logical course of action when facing such a fast-moving target was not to try and catch up, but to stand still and wait for said fast-moving target to come to it. It launched a full-scale assault, unloading an arsenel of hi-tech projectiles in my direction.

Of course, they were never going to hit me, I evade them easily. The Sentinel that had been chasing me around Lexcorp Tower, however... not so lucky. Blasted to smithereens by its own compatriot. That's the other obvious thing these Sentinels lack that I have: brains.

"Two down."

I turn and give a wave to the crowd observing below. My one mistake. My momentary lapse in focus, combined with me underestimating the reflexes of these machines, means that the third and final Sentinel is able to hit me with a devastating swipe, sending me spiralling into the ground. I hit the grass of Metropolis Park, hard, putting a crater in the ground. And before I can recover, the Sentinel's giant foot is brought crashing down over the hole I've just plummeted into.

The crowd observing fall silent. They think it's over, that I've been crushed to a pulp. They're wrong. The Sentinel shudders, twitches, convulses. Then I burst out through it's stomach, pulling a trail of wires and circuits with me. The last Sentinel's hollowed-out leg crumbles under it, and the battered shell crumbles and falls into a heap like so much scrap metal.

"Three down. Third strike.... and you're out!"

I descend back into the dome to rapturous applause. I soak it all in, before retracting the visor over my helmet, and turning to face a fuming Lex Luthor.

"Well then, Mr. President.... I believe we had a deal."

Lex stood silent for a moment, breathing heavily and almost unfocused for a moment trying to come up over his temper and confusion. How was this possible? The Sentinels were programmed to the best of their ability by Trask...Lex shook his head and looked over the crowd that were eagerly awaiting his response to the defeat he had just witnessed; instead of showing his true emotions Lex instead went back to his business man routine; show no disappointment and lie about your goals to seek the top.

"Mr. Stark, you're genius is only topped by your reckless but indeed heroic actions." Luthor smiled as the crowd seemed confused and absolutely convinced he was being genuine. "As a former businessman like yourself, I understand the deal we have made with each other, and for that I will halt down all Sentinels; they will be kept at their military bases away from international and national affairs."

Lex ordered some of his men to guide him down the stairs as the press took the pictures of the two billionaire genius scientists; one now a superhero and one now President shaking their hands. While they did the President whispered over Iron Man's ear with the two men knowing what Luthor was saying.

"Remember Anthony, two can play at this game. I'm just much more effective when it comes to this."

Lex waved his hands to the crowd one last time as he walked past Iron Man not leaving the conversation to last any longer and for the playboy to remember Luthor's words. Lex then returned to the Presidential helicopter sitting inside the pilot took off without hesitation as Luthor's real emotion finally expressed it's self as the rest of the crew stood quiet.While they sat in silence flying out of Metropolis all of a sudden a video call came from the chopper as one of the men informed the President and it appeared to the screen with Amanda Waller appearing.

"Afternoon, Mr. President."

"Amanda.....this isn't the best time for me right now, so excuse me if I appear a bit rude."

"I know, but listen I just finished watching your "battle" with Tony Stark and you mentioned shutting down the Sentinel program. What were you thinking!? Are you actually going to follow up on that order?"

"Don't be absurd Amanda...I was lying to keep up the good public image. Remember, most of the newspapers in Metropolis and indeed the United States are on my payroll! But that doesn't mean I'm immune of being called a fascist."

"Well, what are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to shut down all publicly known Sentinel factories. But as of right now, I'm requesting that S.H.E.I.L.D. enlarge all top secret manufacturing stations with the help of my military, so that they keep at the same expected numbers. I'm on my way to meet my team of scientists right away to discuss upgrades to my machines."

"But that sill brings up one other question, what are you going to do against Tony Stark? He seems to have most of the public on his side right now?"

"Oh it may appear that way Amanda, but don't you remember; the media is my weapon as well...not just Stark's. He will be dealt with in time, and by the end of this Tony Stark will be considered one of the great American tragedies...you have my word."

 

[wiegeabo]

I move aside a piece of debris, looking for anything helpful. I look towards Bruce and the Flash as Bruce tries to get rid of him. I let out a small sigh as I keep going. I never really get why Bruce doesn't like outside help. I go up to Bruce, trying to not let the Flash hear.

"Ur, Batman, this guy's one of the fastest men alive, right? Maybe he could search the rest of the building?" I mutter to him.

It was an idea. This was probably the main room Bruce wanted to check, but there could be evidence all over the place. It's win-win. Bruce gets his crime scene, and the Flash helps out without bothering Bruce. Of course, this means reaching out to Bruce's good nature, and on a night like tonight, that's not always available.

"Because he isn't trained. We are." I continue to check the body.

"I've been doing this since before you were born."

"I respect what you've done, Flash. But you haven't been doing this. A single piece of evidence overlooked or compromised, and the Joker is free to kill more."

"I can still help."

I finish checking all of Engel's pockets and clothes. Nothing. "You can by not being a distra-"

I look back at the body.

"What is it?"

I think about the broadcast. Joker using Engel's body as a ventriloquist's dummy. And Engel hanging their, lifelessly, his mouth gaping open in a horrific silent scream.

...so why is his mouth closed now?

Kneeling by the body again, I pull down on Engel's chin. I reach my fingers into his mouth and pull out a micro digital cassette. "Evidence." I reach into my belt and pull out a mini player. Turning the volume all the way up, I hit play.



I stare at Robin and Garrick as the music plays.

"Heeeeeyyyyy Bats! I'm guessin' your there with the little brat too. We seem to keep missing each other, and that's a real shame. Soooo much has happened since our little go 'round in the Big Apple and I've been dying to catch up."

"Actually, that's a lie. Everyone else has been dying for us to catch up. Heh. Get it? Did you see what I did there? HAHAHAHA. I'm going to have to write that one down." "I squeeze the player tightly, my blood boiling.

"Anyhoo, since you seem to be a step or two behind in our little dance...Now, now, don't get upset. You're just out of practice. Nothing to be ashamed about. Don't let all those dead bodies get you down. Let me help cheer you up. Why don't you come on over for a visit. We'll catch up, have a couple of drinks, talk some politics, it'll be a grand ol' time. But don't take too long, Bats. You know how I get when I'm bored. See ya soon."

I rewind the tape for a second and play again.
"Don't let all those dead bodies get you down."

I rewind and play again.
"Don't let all those dead bodies get you down."

I rewind and play again.
"Don't let all those dead bodies get you down."

I know that sound in the background. The harbor buoys. And that particular combination of buoys is only outside one area of Gotham.

"He's somewhere on the Narrows waterfront."