One Universe: Season IV IC Thread

[Carnage27]

First Supergirl, now Princess Koriand'r. Yeah, the hotness of the Baxter's tenants is definitely on the rise. "Hey, it's better than the Thing's ugly mug," I remark.

"I heard that!"

"Heh. I guess we're going to need to figure out a long-term solution, but this should work for now," I shrug. I turn to Jamie. "You should probably be warned not to use the bathroom right after Ben, though."

"I heard that, too!"

"Well, it's not like it's not true!" I shout back. Addressing Jamie once more, I say, "You'll get used to the bickering. It's pretty constant."

At that moment, Reed enters the room looking surprised. "The girl is waking up," he reports breathlessly. "If you'll follow me..."

The four of us enter Reed's lab to find Koriand'r sitting up on the bed, staring at the ground. I read her file on the way to rescue her, and it was pretty rough. This was the second time that she's be kidnapped and imprisoned. I can't imagine how she feels. She's been on the planet for about a year, and it has done nothing but step on her.

"Koriand'r," I say, putting my hand on her shoulder. She looks up and smiles slightly, "I'm Spider-Man, how are you feeling?"

"I have been better," she chuckles weakly. "I have been told I have you four to thank for saving me. Thank you."

"You're welcome," I say with a nod. "Let me introduce you to the team. This is Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch, the guy in the mask is Robin, and the last is Jamie Madrox. We're part of the Teen Titans."

"Robin!" she brightens up at the realization that her old friend helped her out. "It is good to see you again!"

"You too, Kory," he nods.

"Reed," I say turning to Mister Fantastic, "could you find Jamie and Kory somewhere to stay in Baxter Building? Jamie's got nowhere to go, and Colonel Fury instructed me to find somewhere safe for Kory."

"Of course, it'll be no problem," he says nodding to the two new comers, before turning to Johnny. "Plus it'll give you someone to annoy besides Ben."

 

[Optikal]

-WAR MACHINE-
​

"Pleasure, I'm sure" War Machine said, standing and watching the shifty little man with suspicion.

"I feel I must thank you for stopping that little incident out there earlier".

"Yeah. That doesn't bring back all of those murdered civilians though, does it?"

Sivana turned his back to War Machine and began walking down the corridor. "A minor detail in the grand scheme of things".

Rhodey growled behind his faceplate."Try telling the families of those folks that".

Beth Cabe fell in at the side of War Machine. "Cadmus will sort out reparations for the families and cover other costs. Everything will be put right".

Rhodes said nothing and the trio fell into silence. They emerged into a wide laboratory area and Sivana moved to a console, punching in a series of keystrokes before turning back to Rhodes and Cabe. "Bethany, would you be kind enough to leave us awhile? I have matters to discuss with the War Machine".

Cabe nodded and turned away from the pair, leaving with nothing more than a smile for the armoured hero. Sivana returned to his console and began muttering to himself as a view-screen flashed a variety of data streams. "Well now War Machine, you are a curious thing, if you don't mind me saying so".

"What do you mean?" he scowled. The face plate of course, betrayed no emotion.

"Well" Sivana grinned, "As soon as you entered our airspace, my systems were tracking you and running diagnostics. We like to know what we're dealing with, you see. When I first saw you, I reasoned you to be a man in a suit. And it turns out that you are not that at all... In fact, it seems that you are a machine. A machine that has me utterly curious".

"If you have a point, Doctor, I'd suggest you hurry up and get to making it".

"Well, what I am trying to say is that I've never come across anything like you before, War Machine. You intrigue me".

"Well you're wrong Sivana. I'm not a machine, I'm just a man in a suit. And it's time for me to go".

"Wait!" Sivana cried. "Before you go, is there any way I can repay you for returning my work to me?"

-WAR MACHINE-
​

Rhodey thought for a second, his mind wandering as to what this little mad scientist could possibly offer him. His mind kept coming back to one thing; trouble.

"No Sivana, there's nothing you can do for-"

BOOOOOOM!

Rhodey staggered as the entire facility shook. Before he could react, Cabe burst back into the lab, her weapon cocked and ready. "Doctor, we're under attack! multiple hostiles!"

"Well get to your job then!" Sivana roared. "I'll lock the facility down!"

Bethany turned and ran, Rhodey glanced at the little Doctor before setting off after Bethany, his boosters carrying him down the long corridors towards the exit. He easily passed Cabe and burst out into the bright harshness of the dessert landscape.

"System, locate and identify. Shields at maximum, charge weapons".

PROCESSING....

TARGET LOCKED

RUNNING IDENTIFICATION...

TARGET IDENTIFIED.

Rhodey watch as the data flashed up on his screen. Magnified tracking systems revealed the enemy, though Rhodey would have recognised him simply by sight.

"Metallo".

Rhodey flew ahead, over a small gaggle of merceneries who were meeting Cadmus' Security Forces in open combat.

Dropping into a dive, he headed directly for the Cyborg.

WHAM!

A metallic fist smashed into War Machines shoulder pitching him into the sand.

"You must be the one they're calling War Machine?" Metallo asked as he picked Rhodey up before smashing him back into the ground.

 

[Eddie Brock]

THE JOKER

The Joker stands, smiling, at the bow of a speedboat. Wearing a captain's hat and a bright green ascot, he closes his eyes and feels the salty sea air against his pale face. When he opens his eyes, he's greeted by a view of the Gotham skyline from the riverfront. This makes him smile even more. "Lovely day for it, isn't it, boys?"

The two muscled men - graciously supplied by the Kingpin - don't say anything. This makes the Joker frown, if only for a moment.

The Joker hops down from the bow of the boat to the deck. "Well, whaddaya say we give 'em a show?" he asks rhetorically. He opens a black chest at the front of the boat, revealing a stockpile of fireworks. Motioning to the Kingpin's men, he says, "Over here, Larry and Moe."

The goon at the helm turns off the boat's engine.

Grinning mischievously, the Joker begins to hand out the fireworks. "We're a little early for the 4th of July, but I don't think the people will mind." As the Kingpin's men set up the fireworks, the Joker reaches into his coat pocket and takes out a pack of matches. "Tell me: did ol' Fisky ever let you do something this fun?"

Staring blankly at the Joker, one of the men takes the matches and begins lighting the fireworks. The Joker claps his hands excitedly as they fire off into the sky, creating a pyrotechnic display of light and color. People all around Gotham's waterfront stop to admire the show.

While all this is going on, the Joker pushes the chest aside and pulls out a longer, thinner case. Popping it open, the Joker takes out a mortar and props it up on the boat's deck. "Time for the big bang, boys!"

The goons help Joker load the mortar. Aiming it in the direction of Gotham, the Joker plugs both ears with his index fingers. The shell rockets straight up, barely noticed amidst the fireworks show. It comes crashing down on Gotham's waterfront, and there are screams of terror as it explodes.

Naturally, the Joker couldn't be happier.

This process repeats several times, and the boat rocks wildly as the shells fire off into the sky. The Joker holds back a giggling fit as the Gotham waterfront is blown apart by the explosions. Bodies fly through the air, some of them landing in the river. Meanwhile, the fireworks display continues to go off.

One of the Kingpin's men nudges the other. "We got company," he says, nodding towards blinking lights on the horizon. A GCPD boat races across the water in the direction of the fireworks.

"I hate party-crashers," the Joker remarks as he snatches a shell out of the goon's hand. The Joker smacks the bottom of the shell against the side of the boat and waits for the police boat to get closer. When it does, the Joker lobs the shell into the air and watches it crash down on top of the police boat in a massive explosion.

"Let's get out of here, boys! I can tell when my artistry isn't appreciated..."
​

 

[TrueMastermind]

The sky was clear while the luminesence of the moon shone on the lone figure standing on the rooftop of Gotham's favorite pizza parlor. He found himself in this scenario too often. He had an option to stop. But he couldn't.

He had been waiting for what seemed to be hours. The Punisher had little patience for others, and if this supposed companion didn't show up soon, he'd have to complete the job alone. He'd always been a lone wolf after all.

And time went by. No assistance made their presence. Going with his instincts, Punisher climbed down a fire escape before entering an already slightly open side door. These guys couldn't be that smart. Frank found himself looking down a set of stairs leading to what seemed to be a basement. So far, so good.

Creeping down the stair steps, the Punisher started to hear some oldie tunes enter his ears. The scent of marijuana wandered into his nostrils as well. Reaching for something on his belt, Frank got his pistol ready with his free hand. Time for action.

Launching a smoke grenade into the spacey backroom, Frank unloaded a bullet into the nearest Gnucci mobster's head before diving to the back of the room, where a bar was visible through the looming smoke. Taking out the bartender with a nicely placed pistol whip, Frank leaped over the bar to take cover from the soon to come fire.

All of a sudden, screams of terror started to spread throughout the room. With the smoke subsiding, Frank caught a glismpe of a mutilated corpse laid against the wall. Then another on a table. Then two more rotting at the room's entrance.

"Sorry I'm late."

 

[Eddie Brock]

THE JOKER

All things considered, it was a beautiful day in Gotham City. The sun hung high in the sky, and there was a cool breeze in the air. The grass underneath the mourners' feet even seemed to be a brighter shade of green than usual, but this went unnoticed. These people had not gathered to celebrate. They were here to mourn the passing of their family's patriarch.

"The Lord is my shepherd," the priest reads aloud, over the faint sobs of some of the women present. He stands behind the shining black coffin, which was adorned with flowers. "I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters."

"Heh."

Glancing up briefly, the priest ignores the noise and continues, "He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake."

"Haha."

At this, the crowd turns in the direction of the sound. The man responsible blushes and clears his throat. He gives a silent apology, and the crowd seems to accept it. They turn their attention back to the priest. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff comfort me."

"HAHAHA!"

The priest ignores the outburst and begins to read louder. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over."

"HEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The man collapses, laughing even harder while also seizing. Realizing now that something is legitimately wrong - and that the man was not simply being inappropriate - the crowd reacts with horror. As the man rolls over on the ground, several others try to calm him.

"My heavens..."

At this, the lid of the coffin bursts open, splintering everywhere. Up rises the Clown Prince of Crime, wielding two Thompson submachine guns. With a morbid cackle, the Joker opens fire into the crowd. Almost all of them drop instantly, but the ones who run are simply mowed down by the hail of gunfire. "Ashes to ashes! Dust to dust!" the Joker bellows.

The Joker turns to the priest, who is frozen in terror.

"You know, why didn't I think of this sooner? Killing people at a funeral? It's OBVIOUS!"

And with a sadistic giggle, he turns one of his Tommy guns on the priest.

***

"Jesus Christ," remarks one of the police officers as he surveys the carnage. Fifty-four people dead, including a priest. He nearly dry heaves just thinking about it. Then, he remembers the body of the man who was set to be buried. The way they found his body... "Oh, God," the officer mutters to himself as he feels the vomit building in his throat.

"God had nothing to do with it, officer," says Harleen Quinzell as she approaches the crime scene. "This has 'the Joker' written all over it." She stops at one body in particular. That haunting grin, permanently frozen. The terror in his open eyes. "He's escalating his crimes. He doesn't think we're giving him the attention he deserves."

The officer wipes his lips on the back of his sleeve. "Yeah, well, you can bet we'll be gunning for that bastard now..."

From afar and disguised by makeup, the Joker watches this blond-haired woman strut about his crime scene. Well, whaddaya think? A real masterpiece, no? The Clown Prince of Crime didn't know who this woman was, but she had just found herself on his radar. Something about the way she looked, the way she moved. If you like that, wait 'til I give you a private show...
​

 

[wiegeabo]

I'm actually at a loss for words. It's not because Doom is a head of state. Not really. I've known a lot of head's of state in my day. Heck, I was on a first name bases with Roosevelt and Churchill.

It's two things really. One, the sheer surprise of the thing. What head of state gets into the country without it being all over the news, and then quietly comes knocking for the JSA?

Second...it's Doctor Doom! To say this man's reputation proceeds him is an understatement. And, depending on who you ask, the reputation is far from a good one. In fact, I could swear that Fate and a few others went on a some kind of mission against Doom.

And yet, here he stands, not looking rather menacing, if you ignore the armor. "Mr. Garrick?"

Doom saying my name finally snaps me out of it. "Um, yes. Yes. Of course. Won't you...come in?" I move to the side and gesture for the both of them. Doom walks in, head held high, almost as if he owns the place. His...servant, does not move though.

"I will wait for my Master. He wishes to speak to the Justice League in private."

"Ah...right. Well...you're welcome inside if it gets to cold out there." He nods in thanks and I close the door.

I walk back inside. Doom stands just inside the main room, hands behind his back, inspecting everything he sees. I step into the room with him. "Would you care to sit down?" I offer him one of more comfortable chairs.

Doom nods and sits down. "Where is the rest of the League?" he asks. Although he asks the question matter-of-factly, there's a hint of a request in his voice. No, not really a request, almost a demand. As if he expected us to be here for his arrival.

"Well, all of us in the League have our own cities to protect, or other duties to attend to. So, usually only one of us stays at the Brownstone in case of emergencies."

Doom says nothing. It's like he's filing away everything I say. The thought puts me on edge, and I decide to be a lot more guarded with my answers.

"Disappointing," he says after a few moments. "I had wished to speak to you all."

"Really? Still, I'm here now. Maybe you can tell me why you decided to pay us a visit?"

"...No. I would rather speak to the League as a whole. You will summon them."

"...I will summon them?"

"Yes. Now."

I shift uncomfortably in my chair. I'm fairly certain if Ted was here, he'd already have told Doom just where he can stick his summons. But I'm a fair bit more diplomatic then Ted. Still, I don't like being bossed around. "No, I don't think I will."

I can see Doom's eyes widen slightly beneath his mask. "You what?"

"I'm not going to summon the rest of the League without good reason. And you just saying to do so isn't going to make me do it. I'm not one of your subjects. Whatever you had to say to them, you can say to me."

"You may not be under my authority, but I am a head of state. Leader of a nation. Diplomatic protocol demands you take my requests seriously."

"Oh, I do. Trust me on that. But that doesn't mean I have to do what you ask. I'm not a diplomat."

"You would risk an international incident over such a simple request."

I might not be Ted, but Doom's starting to get under my skin. "More like a demand. And I hardly think I'm going to be risking much of anything. I get the distinct impression you kept your visit here under wraps. You don't want any attention to your visit. You're not going to stir any trouble with the State Department or anyone else."

"How dare you speak to me in such a way!"

"If you don't like it, you're free to go back to Latveria."

Doom quickly stands up and I do the same. If he wants to start any trouble, he picked the wrong day and the wrong guy.

"Good, you are not as soft as I feared."

"I-wait, what?"

Doom sits back down. I continue to stand in confusion. He leans back in the chair as if it were a throne and this was his kingdom. "Sit, Mr. Garrick. You are correct, I do not wish to 'stir any trouble', as you put it."

I sit down slowly, still unsure what's going on. "I had to be sure that you were a man of action, Mr. Garrick. Not weak or decadent like so many of your country's citizens."

I bite my cheek to keep from saying anything. A man's entitled to his opinion, after all. He just better start keeping it to himself. "You were testing me?"

"Yes. I had planned on testing your League, but since you are the only one here-"

"Why?"

"To the point. I like that. I assume you listened to President Luthor's speech after the attack on Stamford."

My heart skips a beat and I have to quickly push all the memories before back before they overwhelm me. I force my voice to remain neutral. "I did."

Doom nods. "Then you heard what he said about my nation. Implying...no, not just implying. Almost coming out and implicating Latveria for the attack."

"And that is why you're here?"

"Indeed it is. My nation had nothing to do with the tragedy that befell your country."

"Ok. I'm still confused. You came here to tell the press that or something?"

"No. No, publicly trying to refute your President now would only further cast suspicion on myself and my people. He has far too much support at this time for me to make a statement against him."

"So...?"

"So, Mr. Garrick. I came here to ask for your help."

I lean forward, not quite sure I heard what I just heard. "You...need my help?"

"I do. It is not an...easy thing for me to admit, that I need assistance. But I believe you're expertise would be invaluable to my nation and others."

"I see..." I say slowly, not actually understanding what he means at all.

Even though I can't see it, I'm sure Doom is smiling slightly under his mask at my confusion. "Let me clarify." Doom stands up, and starts pacing around the room slowly as he talks, looking at each object he passes as if it was one of the most interesting of things in the world. "I am scared of very few things in this world, Mr. Garrick. But one thing that does bring me fear is something happening to my nation, and my people."

"And you think something is going to happen soon?"

Doom turns to face me. "I do, Mr. Garrick."

Pieces start falling into place. "You're afraid of President Luthor."

"I most certainly am not!" Doom says, more loudly then he probably intends. He regains his composure. "I am not afraid of Luthor. But it is what he can do that worries me."

"And that would be?"

"Khandaq."

I lean back in my chair, realization finally dawning on me. "Luthor used Black Adam as an excuse to go after Khandaq and use the Avengers and his Sentinels. His 'implication' of Latveria after Stamford makes you think he'll do the same to you and yours."

"And now you understand."

I nod slowly. "I understand your concern, yes. But...I don't understand why you came to the Justice League. You want us to...what? Protect Latveria?"

"No, I do not. I doubt there is anyway your League could effectively protect your nation as well as mine."

"It would stretch us pretty thin..."

"Indeed. And the citizens of my nation and others would have a difficult time trusting your League. At best, they would deem you outsiders, at worst, you would be seen as Luthor's underlings."

"Wait, backup a step. Other nations?"

"That is why I am here, Mr. Garrick. I want you to come back with me. I want you to help recruit and put together a Justice League: Europe."

 

[Catman_prb]

"Reed," I say turning to Mister Fantastic, "could you find Jamie and Kory somewhere to stay in Baxter Building? Jamie's got nowhere to go, and Colonel Fury instructed me to find somewhere safe for Kory."

"Of course, it'll be no problem," he says nodding to the two new comers, before turning to Johnny. "Plus it'll give you someone to annoy besides Ben."

"My joy is unbound," Jamie said with a half-smile at Johnny.

"You appear to be the proud owner of a house for teenage tear aways, Mr Richards," he said to the man who was surely only a few years older than himself "I can only offer you my comiserations,"

 

[The Manly Torch]

Clayface​

“Afternoon, ma’am.”

“Hello, welcome to Citibank, how are you?”

“Why, I’m just peachy, thank ya much. D’you reckon I could open me an account here?”

“Why, yes, sir, you want Ambrosia Edwards over there.”

“Thank ye kindly.

“’Scuse me, are you Miss Edwards?”

“Yes, sir, do you want to open an account with us today?”

“Why, yes, ma’am, I sure do. Boy, you’re sharper’n a tack fresh out the box.”

“Ha ha. Thank you, sir. Okay, I’m going to need your name, your number, address, et cetera. You know, just fill out these papers right here. Do you have a driver’s license?”

“No, ma’am. But, I done got this picture ID made a few months back, whenever my nieces and nephews came up to visit from the home country. You see, the kids, they got caught up in makin’ clubs and what-have-you, and they got this idear to make up ID cards so’s you could get into their HQ, which was just a fort made of pillows and blankets really. Nice kids. Heh. They warnted me t’ be the Prez of their club, and I played along.”

“Hah. That’s just precious. They sound like great kids, Mister… Williams.”

“Please, call me Johnny. Is this alright? I’m sorry, I ain’t got no e-mail to put down here. Is that gonna be a problem?”

“No, sir, it’ll be just fine. If you’ll sign here, please.”

“Sure thing, Miss Edwards.”

“Please, call me 'Brosia.”

“Alright, then, 'Brosia, there ya go, all filled out and signed.”

“Do you have any cash you wish to deposit into this account, uh, Johnny?”

“Actually, ma’am, I’ve got this traveler’s check for somewhere’s over a hundred thousand bucks. I know it seems like a lot, and it’s mos definitely more zeroes’n I’ve ever seen before in my life, but it’s sort of an inheritance bein’ as how my gran’mama went to join the angels, bless her soul. She was a great gran’mama, and she done made th’ best apricot clobber you’d ever fill yer stomach wit.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Our loss is the good Lord’s gain, ma’am, and I’ll have somefin to look forward ta whenever I go ta join her. Ain’t nowhere she is that ain’t the most goldurn hootenanny jes waitin’ to happen. Ain’t never tought that woman could be outlasted, but God done got tired of waitin’, and I don’t blame him, miss ‘Brosia.”

“Now, would you like both a savings account and a checking account?”

“Oh, just savings, ma’am, and I’ll settle for the Money Market account. I read a little brochure that told me about your different kinds of savings accounts, yes’m.”

“Well, alright, then, we’re just speeding along here.”

“That’s good, ma’am, ‘cause I wouldn’t wanna take up more of your time than needed.”

“Oh, please, this is my job.”

“I know, ma’am, but I been a workin’ man myself. I’m kinda un’ployed at this here moment, bein’ as I moved here not too long ago, but I don’t ‘spect to keep that way for too much longer. Gran’mama always was lookin’ out fer me, bless her heart.”

“Oh yeah? Where did you move from, if I may ask.”

“Oh, I come up all the way from Louisiana, ma’am. One thing I noticed right off the bat was the change in temperatures around here. A might cooler, if I do say so.”

“Yes, hah hah, I imagine it is. Wow, that’s a long way. What brought you up to Gotham, if I may ask?”

“Well, ma’am, it’s actually kind of embarrassin’, to tell the truth. I kinda got gipped into one of them scams, and I was talked inta packing up house and home and heading north lookin’ for fool’s gold. But I’ve al’ays wanted to see the world, and this is as good a start as any.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re keeping positive about that.”

“Yes, ma’am, I intend to make a good thing out of this.”

“Alright, well, I’ve got you set up here. You should keep this in your wallet, because this has your account number on it. And this is a summary of how much you now have in your very own Gotham Citibank account.”

“Why, thank you much.”

“And here, I don’t know if you knew this, but we’ve been handing out free watches to new patrons, just as a limited time freebie give-a-way. There are plenty of ways to earn freebies with us. Would you like to hear about our Thank You points?”

“No thank you, ma’am, I know it’s great if you can sell your customers on all your fancy things, but I’m wasted on all that glitter and shiny things. I’m a simple man, and I’m satisfied with the bare basics, but thank you again.”

“No, thank you. Well, you’re all set. You need anything else?”

“Well, miss ‘Brosia, I only need one more thing. Could you possibly direct me to where the bathroom is located?”

“Oh, well we don’t have bathrooms, at least not for the public, but—”

“Nah, ma’am, that’s jus fine. I can al’ays use ‘em elsewhere, thank ya kindly.”

“You come back. And have a good day.”

“Thank you, ma’am, I will. And you too!”

Johnny Williams tipped his hat and pushed the door open, emerging into a bleak atmosphere outside, cast by the gray clouds overhead. He pulled up the collar of his hunting jacket and pocketed his hands while he nodded to a young woman walking past. His alligator-skin boots clunked against the sidewalk as he moved along. A sudden burst in the breeze threatened to knock away his hat, but a swift hand held it in place. His eyes darted about, taking in everything around him. Abruptly, something in an alleway that he was passing seemingly caught his attention, and he immediately turned down there. He turned back to see if anybody was watching him, and turned back.

He almost tripped over the bum lying against the trash dumpster, who muttered incomprehensibly in his sleep. He walked around him and ducked on the other side of the dumpster. He could see the other end of the alley several yards away, but he tucked himself further and further into the dark corner. His hat and jacket melted away into mud, along with his skin. Unseen by nobody, he melted into a puddle of thick mud. The puddle began to move of its own accord, swiftly flowing beneath the bum’s bent legs toward a drain he had espied near the opening of the alley.

 

[wiegeabo]

I hate Metropolis.

Well, that's overstating things. I'm sure it's a fine city in it's own right. But it annoys the hell out of me. It's just so...bright. Even at night it might as well be day. Gotham is so much more conducive to my work.

I swing between buildings, casting a huge shadow behind me. I shake my head when I land. How is anyone expected to sneak up on criminals or strike fear into them when they can see you coming from twenty blocks away? I'm a billionaire and I'd hate to see the electric bill.

"Doesn't this city ever turn out it's lights?

 

[Byrd Man]

I hate Metropolis.

Well, that's overstating things. I'm sure it's a fine city in it's own right. But it annoys the hell out of me. It's just so...bright. Even at night it might as well be day. Gotham is so much more conducive to my work.

I swing between buildings, casting a huge shadow behind me. I shake my head when I land. How is anyone expected to sneak up on criminals or strike fear into them when they can see you coming from twenty blocks away? I'm a billionaire and I'd hate to see the electric bill.

"Doesn't this city ever turn out it's lights?

"Harder for criminals to do their work in the dark," I say with a smile. Batman scowls from under his mask. He obviously doesn't agree. "So, what did you find out?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Four men dressed as plumbers quickly exit the van parked on the side of the street. They go into an abandoned apartment building and pick the apartment they want. Removing their tools, they begin drilling a tiny hole into the apartment wall.

While three of the men work, one of the plumbers walks out of the apartment and watches the street. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a walkie-talkie.

"10-21 to 10-11," he says.

"10-11, roger you," the voice of Captain Sarah Essen responds back.

"We are beginning to insert the snake. Keep your eyes on the monitor. ETA is ten minutes."

"Roger that."

The line goes dead and GCPD Tactical Sergeant David Johnson places his walkie-talkie back into his pocket and rejoins his men in installing the fiber optic cable.

*****

Outside the Cheetah Club, Kasper Cole and Marcus Driver watch as a black SUV pulls out of the club and goes down the road. The man inside had spent two hours at the strip club before being whisked away in a van. The two detectives had trailed him to a penthouse downtown and waited for him to finish his business. Once he was done, he was transported back to the club.

Now, as the man was leaving, the Driver started the car and Cole hit the car's siren. The SUV pulls to the side of the road, and both officers jump out.

"Police," Driver says as he approaches the driver side window. "License and registration, please."

The man hands over his information to Driver, who calmly looks at it and then looks at the man. "So...Mister Waters. Wanna tell us about the little trip you just made?"

"What are you talking about?" Waters asked. Cole, from the passenger side, laughs. "It's okay. You tell us what you know, and we don't take you downtown. I'm sure you don't want your wife to be woken up by a phone call at 3 AM from you, do you?"

Waters gulped and looked between the two detectives. "What do you want to know."
​

*****

In the MCU squadroom, Captain Essen and Lieutenant Akins watches the monitor, waiting for confirmation from Sergeant Johnson.

"10-21 here," Johnson chirped on the walkie-talkie.

"10-21, go ahead," Essen replied.

"We go live in three, two, one..."

Both Essen and Akins gasp when the image on the screen flickers to life. Inside the backroom of the Cheetah Club is a pig sty. Empty food boxes and fading newspapers are all through the room. But the sight that makes them gasp is the man sitting in the room.

Former District Attorney Harvey Dent, now known as Two-Face, sits comfortably in a chair.

After months of investigation, Two-Face is finally within the MCU's grasp.
​

 

[Eddie Brock]

"My joy is unbound," Jamie said with a half-smile at Johnny.

"You appear to be the proud owner of a house for teenage tear aways, Mr Richards," he said to the man who was surely only a few years older than himself "I can only offer you my comiserations,"

Reed shrugs. "It's not so bad. Once you've dealt with the growing pains of living together with powers, you get used to it," he muses.

Having a thought, I decide to chime in. "Say, think we could convince Fury to dig into those deep pockets of his and get us, like, a secret base or something? I mean, the JLA has the Brownstone."

 

[Carnage27]

Reed shrugs. "It's not so bad. Once you've dealt with the growing pains of living together with powers, you get used to it," he muses.

Having a thought, I decide to chime in. "Say, think we could convince Fury to dig into those deep pockets of his and get us, like, a secret base or something? I mean, the JLA has the Brownstone."

I chuckle, "I very much doubt it. I'll ask him though. For now, we'll meet on top of the Baxter Building."

"Fury asked me to get you to join up as well, Kori. Feel free to take your time with the answer and to get your feet back under you. And remember, you're living with other metas. Don't hesitate to ask for anything," I say to the alien girl, who simply smiles in return.

"Now," I sigh, stretching out, "I think it's time to break out for the night. Johnny, can you take Robin back to Gotham?"

"I think I'll be doing that," Reed responds. "I think Johnny's had enough time behind the hover car's controls."

"Sounds good," I say, heading towards the window. "I'll let everyone get settled. Other than that, be ready for my call. I doubt we'll have much time to rest."

Slinging a webline, I swing off into the night.

**********

"Ladies and gentlemen," the Green Goblin says as he paces in front of his assembled thugs and mobsters, "we have been much to quiet in this city, cowering in fear of our citizen super-heroes. But I think it's high time we shake things up in the Big Apple. It's high time that New York doesn't feel so safe."

He smiles to himself, as the assorted criminals shift a little in their seats. They are his lieutenants, the leaders of their respective New York crime syndicates, and former employees of Wilson Fisk. The Goblin has convinced them, in his own special way, to join him, and to rule this city. And they had listened. Those that didn't died. And now he stands on the precipice of his power play.

They thought they were with him for petty crime. Drugs, robberies, that sort of thing. But in reality they were merely pawns in his quest for ultimate power. And now, they would be warriors used to help destroy one of the things that stood in his way.

Spider-Man.

"Prepare your men," he cackles, "for soon we take New York for ourselves!"

And Spider-Man will lie in a pool of blood.
​

 

[Shemtov]

MAKARRI​

Makkari Ran as fast as could along I-95. He had left the Eternals after he had an arguement with Zuras. Makkari had insisted that the Eternals should help regular people. He didn't know why, it was just a feeling he had. Zuras had refused to let any Eternal interact with humans. he thought it was too risky. Eternals might be injured if they had other "Supervillians" other then Deviants too deal with.

Makkari reflected on the feeling he had been having. Was it from a celestial or was it from something else?

Suddenly, 3 people moving at Superspeed ran next to Makkari. One was Quicksilver, a Hero he recognized from a previus excursion into the world of regular humans. Another's costume reminded him of the Flash's costume. A third was dressed in a blue outfit.

"Who Are you?" Asked Makkari

"I'm Jace Allen, Flash of the 26th century. I used a high-tech telepathy machine to call you.
"
"Why?"

"I need all speedsters Past, present and Future. There is a threat at this time and it's name is Doom. The effects of his plot won't really be felt till my time. But when they are felt, they will be disasterous. Only speedsters can stop this. Do you want to help me?"

"Yes"

"Good. Now let me tell you what we have too do. Doom has a machine for his plot. But, it is not stored in Latrveria. For Technichal Reasons I can't explain, it's stored in a warehouse in New York. I've heard he's manipulated on of the stupider villians into being a gaurd but I don't know who. We need to destroy this machine."

"Alright, let's go."

 

[Keyser Soze]

"And as for how I can help you," I say with a smile, "I know SHIELD's every move, and I can warn you if they decide to grow a pair and come after you."

Their demeanors brighten a little at this, but I raise my hand, "But...there are limitations." I turn to look at Stark, "Which brings me back to you. For this to have any chance of working, I'm going to need intel to feed to SHIELD. It can be false, it can be skewed, or it can be mundane stuff you don't mind parting with. But if I don't get anything, I'll be called back to Washington, and you guys lose your inside source."

"Okay... tell them I'm designing my own version of the Sentinels. That'll make Luthor second-guess my motives for standing against him, make him think I'm doing it to eliminate the competition rather than because I think he's a repugnant scumbag."

The car stops at the Brownstone. My stop. I turn to our new friend.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, I need to go hunt down my lazy secretary, and get on her ass about not waiting by the phone for my call. How dare she have a life? I don't pay her for that. But first, I need to go bug Jay Garrick for my armor."

 

[TrueMastermind]

The sky was clear while the luminesence of the moon shone on the lone figure standing on the rooftop of Gotham's favorite pizza parlor. He found himself in this scenario too often. He had an option to stop. But he couldn't.

He had been waiting for what seemed to be hours. The Punisher had little patience for others, and if this supposed companion didn't show up soon, he'd have to complete the job alone. He'd always been a lone wolf after all.

And time went by. No assistance made their presence. Going with his instincts, Punisher climbed down a fire escape before entering an already slightly open side door. These guys couldn't be that smart. Frank found himself looking down a set of stairs leading to what seemed to be a basement. So far, so good.

Creeping down the stair steps, the Punisher started to hear some oldie tunes enter his ears. The scent of marijuana wandered into his nostrils as well. Reaching for something on his belt, Frank got his pistol ready with his free hand. Time for action.

Launching a smoke grenade into the spacey backroom, Frank unloaded a bullet into the nearest Gnucci mobster's head before diving to the back of the room, where a bar was visible through the looming smoke. Taking out the bartender with a nicely placed pistol whip, Frank leaped over the bar to take cover from the soon to come fire.

All of a sudden, screams of terror started to spread throughout the room. With the smoke subsiding, Frank caught a glismpe of a mutilated corpse laid against the wall. Then another on a table. Then two more rotting at the room's entrance.

"Sorry I'm late."

"You're working for the police?" His accomplice's hockey mask prevented from Frank catching a glimspe of his face. All he could gather that his whole presence didn't scream law enforcement.

"I have my reasons." The man's voice was gritty and rough, as if he had faced many incidents of pain and suffering. Not too unlike the Punisher.

Frank began to search the bodies for any evidence, but there was nothing. This new arrival seemed good in his work but he was foolish enough to not leave one alive.

"I'm not an amateur." Puzzled at the meaning of his statement, Frank then saw the man point his gun towards an open broom closet in the corner of the large room. Following his gestures, Frank started to hear a fain whimpering coming out of the room.

"Don't kill me!"

Discovering a shivering young man begging for his life, Frank grabbed the wimp by his collar.

"Tell me what you know about the Gnuccis, or else."

Ten minutes later...

Frank walked out of the closet with his hands now a bloody red. After retrieving his information, Frank had strangled the chap to death. His annoying pleas didn't make the fact that he's a mobster disappear. He was as filthy as the rest of the goons in this joint. And as a result, he got punished.

"See you don't mind getting your hands dirty."

"You have a problem with that?" The man looked around at the array of dead bodies, bodies sent to the grave by his hands.

"What do you think?" Not bothering to give a reply, Frank left the ransacked backroom, followed by the Jason-esque vigilante. But both failed to notice the bartender hiding behind the counter, dialing a number on his phone.

 

[Carnage27]

"Okay... tell them I'm designing my own version of the Sentinels. That'll make Luthor second-guess my motives for standing against him, make him think I'm doing it to eliminate the competition rather than because I think he's a repugnant scumbag."

The car stops at the Brownstone. My stop. I turn to our new friend.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, I need to go hunt down my lazy secretary, and get on her ass about not waiting by the phone for my call. How dare she have a life? I don't pay her for that. But first, I need to go bug Jay Garrick for my armor."

I can't help but smile at Stark's demeanor. The man is completely sure of himself, and it easily shows. As does his hatred for Luthor, something I can easily attest to. I can see why Fury trusts him.

"Very well, Mr. Stark, Mr. Rodgers," I say as the two get out of the car. "I'll be in touch."

 

[Byrd Man]

I can't help but smile at Stark's demeanor. The man is completely sure of himself, and it easily shows. As does his hatred for Luthor, something I can easily attest to. I can see why Fury trusts him.

"Very well, Mr. Stark, Mr. Rogers," I say as the two get out of the car. "I'll be in touch."

"Nice lady," I say as we watch the car drive off.

"I trust her about as far as I can throw her."

"Well, Tony, with your bad knee, you shouldn't be throwing anyone..."

Tony gives me a strange look and I shrug. "It's true. You know, maybe we should part ways for a bit. I have some old friends I want to get in touch with."

 

[Byrd Man]

​

City Hall


"Goddammit, Jim! What did I say?!"

I remain silent as Mayor Hill rampages from behind his desk.

"I wanted you off the Two-Face investigation!"

"With all due respect, sir," I snap. "Isn't catching bad guys my job?"

"Your job is to serve at the pleasure of the mayor, which you haven't done." Reaching into his desk, Hill removes a three-ring binder. "For that, there will be consequences."

Leafing through the binder, Hill remains quiet for a few moments before finally speaking. "Last's months crime stats you presented to the city council were wrong. You authorized the records department to bend the numbers to show a decrease in crime, when there was an increase in crime that month."

"No, I didn't.I-" That's when it hits me. Grogan. I've been played by my own deputy.

"Now, Jim. This is where the rubber meets the road. Either you play ball and start taking my orders, or I release these numbers to the press and have you become disgraced, leaving me with no other choice but to ask you to resign."

I sit in silence for a few moments, contemplating my next move. Clearing my throat, I begin.

"I've been a cop in Gotham for a long time. I've seen many things that bothered me, but I kept on with my job. When I was appointed commissioner, I thought it was my chance to change things for the better. But I come to find out I'm just another humble servant to another corrupt official. I've held a lot of water for this city, but this is it for me. I'm taking Two-Face down, and if you got a problem with it, then you're going to have to ****can me."

Rising up from my chair, I storm out of the office and dont' give Hill time to respond. Halfway down the hall, I pull out my cellphone for what could be my last act as commissioner.

"Sarah? It's Jim. If you've got Harvey in your sights, close in the net. Get Branden and SWAT to back you up. The club, the drug dealers, the prostitutes. Take them all."​

 

[Eddie Brock]

THE JOKER

The Joker sits in a chair at the abandoned warehouse, doing something he rarely does. Frowning. Balancing the tip of his knife on his gloved finger and spinning the knife with his other hand, the Joker looks around with noticeable disgust. "Humph," he grunts in annoyance.

"Why the long face, Joker?" asks Poison Ivy as she slinks into the room. She brings with her an air of disinterest in everything, though her inquiry sounded genuine. "As surprising as it is to me, it actually seems like your plan is working."

Gritting his teeth, the Joker muses, "Not as well as I'd hoped. I just can't seem to get a rise out of these people anymore." Taking his knife, the Joker angrily chucks it at the floor at his feet. It sticks into the rotting wooden floor with ease. Sighing, the Joker changes his mood to disappointment and depression as he states, "Batman hasn't tried to stop me once yet."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Scarecrow asks confusedly. "The less we see of the Bat, the better."

The Joker rolls his eyes. These simpletons would never understand. "It takes two to tango, my dear Scarecrow, and Bats has left me out to dry on the dance floor!" Kicking away his knife like an outraged child, the Joker slumps further into his chair. "These pathetic denizens of Gotham don't understand me, but Batman? He gets the joke."

Scarecrow shakes his head as he walks away. The Joker isn't bothered by it. At this point, he's talking just to hear his own voice.

"Only now, I'm delivering standup to an empty audience," the Joker sighs, and for a brief moment, his face contorts into what must be the closest equivalent to despair for the Clown Prince of Crime. Then, as is usually the case with the Joker, from the sinking pits of depression, there comes a thought. An idea. And as that idea grows and formulates, the Joker's expression shifts back to its usual menacing high.

"An audience..."

***

"---marking the third time this year that the starlet's baby was seen driving the car. Coming up after the break, we sit down with the newest Hollywood heavyweight, Andrew Garfield. Earlier this week, it was announced that Garfield would play the title role in the much-anticipated reboot of---"

Screens all across Gotham go blank.

"Testing, testing," a sinister voice rings out from the darkness. "Is this thing on? Helloooooooo?"

The screens flicker, and all of Gotham is greeted by the horrifying sight of the Joker's wild smile. The picture is grainy and out-of-focus, as if filmed on a cheap handheld camera.

"Good evening, Gotham. I am here to rescue you from the mind-melting drivel that has you glued to your television screens," the Joker announces proudly. "I sure hope you haven't put the kiddies to bed yet, because they're not going to want to miss this!"

The Joker reaches across the camera, and a moment later, it starts to zoom out. As it does, the shape of a terrified captive appears. Strapped to a table, blindfolded, and with duct tape over his mouth, the man trembles uncontrollably for all of Gotham to see. Behind him, wearing a stark white apron, the Joker smiles congenially.

"Over the past few weeks, I have launched a progressive campaign to shake you all free of the everyday doldrums which are suffocating you! Some of you may be aware of my radical actions. Some of you may have known men and women who gave their lives so that I could open your eyes." There's an unsettling glimmer in the Joker's eyes as he continues. "If that's the case, then mourn for them no more. I assure you that you will be joining them soon. HAHAHA!"

The Joker turns his back to the camera and comes back with a metal tray.

Setting the tray down on top of the captive's chest, the Joker explains, "This is Doctor Michael Christian Amar, renowned physician in the Gotham area." From the tray, the Joker picks up a scalpel. Examing it in the light, he continues, "I have picked him for...well...for no reason, really. Other than that it seemed like a good idea at the time!"

"Anyway, it seems that I'm not impressing you anymore, Gotham. I've been afraid of this day since I first started. Eventually, I'd raise the bar so high that I wouldn't be able to live up to expectations! So, I thought that if you saw me at work, it might help reacquaint you with why you revered me so highly to begin with!"

The Joker leans over Dr. Amar and looks directly at the camera.

"And between you and me? I'm curious to see how our resident Caped Crusader handles this one. Apparently, I've lost a lot of my pull on his To-Do List, but let's see him sweep this under the rug!"

In one swift movement, the Joker rips off the tape from Dr. Amar's mouth.

"Pleasedon'tkillmepleasedon'tkillmepleasedon'tkillme...."

"Easy, Doc! Talking a mile a minute like that, you're going to hurt yourself!" With his free hand, the Joker grabs Dr. Amar's jaw. In his other hand, he holds the scalpel. He gives the camera one last look. "Are you watching?" the Joker asks, addressing the only person that matters. Then, with no remorse, the Joker plunges the scalpel into Dr. Amar's mouth. After half a minute of frenzied slicing, blood spattering, and Dr. Amar screaming, the Joker reaches into the doctor's mouth and pulls out his tongue.

The last thing anyone in Gotham saw was the Joker preparing the sew Dr. Amar's now tongue-less mouth shut, accompanied by the blood-curling soundtrack of the Joker's laughter.
​

 

[wiegeabo]

"Harder for criminals to do their work in the dark," I say with a smile. Batman scowls from under his mask. He obviously doesn't agree. "So, what did you find out?"

"Harder for me to do my work too."

I pull an envelope from a hidden pocket in my cape and hand it over to Superman. He takes out and unfolds the paper as he reads. "Most of the companies are rather innocent. The components they make are common enough to be sold on the market. SHIELD could have gotten them without any complicity or coercion. Ted Kord's company provided most of the advanced sensor tech, but SHIELD purchased it through some dummy corporations. I don't think Ted was involved."

I notice Superman looking at the bottom of the list. "Then there's the battle tech they got from Stark Industries..."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Harder for me to do my work too."

I pull an envelope from a hidden pocket in my cape and hand it over to Superman. He takes out and unfolds the paper as he reads. "Most of the companies are rather innocent. The components they make are common enough to be sold on the market. SHIELD could have gotten them without any complicity or coercion. Ted Kord's company provided most of the advanced sensor tech, but SHIELD purchased it through some dummy corporations. I don't think Ted was involved."

I notice Superman looking at the bottom of the list. "Then there's the battle tech they got from Stark Industries..."

"That's odd," I say as I look up from the list. "I remember Tony and SHIELD had a massive falling out a few months ago over some equipment of his they stole. Maybe the tech they used was Stark equipment they had in stock? Whatever the reason, I'm a 100% certain Tony has no idea what was going on. I talked to Reed Richards and Clark Kent interviewed Just Hammer. Reed had no idea his inventions would be used for this, and Hammer is too much of a loud-mouth to be involved in a government conspiracy. He'd shout it from the rooftops."

 

[Byrd Man]

Standing on the street corner, Peter "Skinny Pete" Tillman feels a vibration in his pocket. Pulling out the phone, he stares at the strange number on his display.

"Hello?....Working. Hey, man, how did you get this number?......What? When?....Are you sure? Alright, I'll be there."

Hanging up, Pete turns to the young drug dealer at his side. "I gotta go. My momma's sick."

"What we supposed to do about a re-up?"

"I guess, Hood...or, sorry, I mean Mister Robbins is on it. I gotta go."

******

​

The man in the suit sat uncomfortably inside the SUV. Fidgeting with his glasses, he constantly checked his watch.

"Nervous?" the car's driver asked with a chuckle. "Every first time customer looks like you do. Don't worry, you're in for the ride of your life partner. Just stick with me. We're almost there."

******

Parker Robbins was cursing under his breath as he drove to the re-up spot. Pete was supposed to handle this, not him. He as the goddamn drug lieutenant, why didn't he do it? Some excuse about a sick momma in the hospital appeased Two-Face, but not him. Pulling his car into a parking space beside the waterfront warehouse, Robbins got out and surveyed the area.

Something was off. It couldn't be the cops. That other cop had given him all the stuff he needed the last time the cops were on to him. No, this felt different. Maybe a death squad was waiting for him inside the warehouse. Two-Face was tired of him, and was trading up by putting Pete in his place. Pete was the only one smart enough to do what he did. LaMonica was dumber than a bag of hammers and Dillon...well, nobody had heard anything from Dillon in awhile. Word on the street was that Joker sent him packing.

Whatever was waiting for him, Robbins patted the gun in his waistband and walked towards the warehouse doors.

******

The SUV came to a stop inside the penthouse parking garage. The driver helped the man with glasses out the car and into the elevator.

"Enjoy yourself," the driver said with a smile.

Looking around the elevator, the man checked his watch. "Gringo," he muttered over and over again as the elevator climbed higher. With a ding, the elevator doors opened and revealed a plush room filled with dozens of beautiful women.

"Welcome," an older woman off to the side said in a Eastern European accent. "This is our buffet."

******

Taking a deep breath, Parker Robbins opened the door to the warehouse and entered. Inside were two men with roughly twenty kilos of heroin and cocaine. Still...something was off.

"Where's the Penguin?" Robbins asked.

"We don't know who you're talking about. Some guy paid us a **** load of money to deliver these drugs to a guy who looks like you."

Suddenly, Robbins figured it all out. He put the pieces together just in time to see the blue lights flash behind him.

******

"Which one do you want?" The madam asked the man with the glasses.

"Can I just have one?"

"You can have them all, as long as your money is good."

"I'll take the blond right there....and the redhead right there."

"For both? Cost is one thousand an hour."

Pulling a wad of bills from his pocket, the man with the glasses counted off. "This is for two hours."

Placing them in the woman's hand, he smiled at the two women he had chosen. The two women began to lead him into a back bedroom, and he surveyed the two of them. "I hope one you is Spanish. I kinda got a thing about being called a Gringo."

That was the signal. The elevator dinged and out the sliding doors came four SWAT officers.

"Police get your hands on the ground!"

Taking the fake glasses off, Detective Charlie Fields shrugged at the two women. "Sorry, ladies. I bet it is one hell of a ride, though."

******

Holding his hands in the air, Parker Robbins waited for the pat-down that came from Lieutenant Michael Atkins. Finding a gun in his waistband, Akins smiled. "Got a permit?"

"What do you think?" Robbins asked coldly. Slapping the cuffs on his wrist, Akins led him away from the warehouse and into his car.

******

With Captain Branden's and three members of his SWAT team in the lead, Detectives Marcus Driver, Crispus Allen, and Sergeant Harvey Bullock followed them up the steps of the apartment. Making as little noise as possible, the group came to a stop outside a door.

With a swift kick, Branden knocked the door open and the group rushed into the apartment.

"Clear!" one of them said as they checked the living room. "Clear!" said another SWAT member.

Suddenly, a back bedroom door burst open and Johnny LaMonica, clad in boxer shorts, ran out. Running as fast as he could, he slipped past Bullock, Allen, and the SWAT members before they could react.

Running towards the door as fast as he could, he didn't see Driver's arm stuck out in the air until it was too late.

"Ack!" he cried out as he was clotheslined to the ground. Falling on top of him, Driver grabbed LaMonica's hands and tightened the handcuffs until they started to bite down on his wrist.

******
​

Lead by Sergeant Maggie Sawyer, Detectives Renee Montoya and Kasper Cole, the remaining SWAT team crashed Two-Face's drug corners, rounding up all the street dealers they had linked to his drug ring. Kids as young as ten were led away in cuffs for selling heroin and cocaine.

******

"So what was all this about? Skinny Pete asks the man sitting next to him in the car.

"Peter," Oswald Cobblepot began, "I saved you. As we speak, the GCPD are arresting your bosses and co-workers. Everyone but a few will be spared by the long arm of the law. You are one of the lucky ones. They don't have anything to tie you to the drug distribution. You've met with Robbins and they have you on tape, but nothing that proves you handled or dealt drugs. Their one real shot was today, but thanks to me you're safe."

"So why you gonna be generous to me? Help me escape Johnny Law?"

"It's simple, Peter. I always look out for my worker's. And you're working for me now."

******
​

The music inside the Cheetah Club cuts off as Jim Gordon and Sarah Essen walk through the strip club.

Passing by the strippers and bouncers, they open the door to the back room and come face to face to face wit their target.

"Harvey Dent," Gordon says in a cold voice. "We have a warrant for your arrest."

With a final flip of his quarter, Two-Face stood up with his hands raised.

"Took you long enough."
​

 

[Eddie Brock]

JOHNNY STORM

I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist. Checking myself in the mirror one last time, I open the door and am nearly scared out of my skin. "Koriand'r!" The more attractive of the Baxter's newest resident smiles at me unflinchingly. "Uh...hi?" I realize that I'm practically naked, and I start to blush.

"Hello, Jonathan," Koriand'r replies pleasantly. She looks over my shoulder into the bathroom. "Why is that room so warm? Were you washing in there?"

"Yeah, kinda." Holding onto the towel for dear life, I slip past Koriand'r into the hallway where there's more room. "How long were you standing there?" I ask nervously.

"Not long."

I give a nervous chuckle. "Alright, well, it's all yours if you need it. I'm...uh...I'm going to get dressed." And with that, I make a mad dash to my room. After I close the door, I let out a relieved sigh. That was awkward. As I'm getting dressed, I hear Koriand'r talking in the hallway.

Opening the door - now fully clothed, luckily - I ask, "Koriand'r, who are you--?" That's when I see who she's talking to. "Kara?!"

The one and only cousin of Superman looks at me and waves. "Hey, Johnny. Heard you had a new housemate, wanted to say hello," she explains. Then, with a smirk, she adds, "She was just explaining to me that she caught you on your way out of the shower."

Just like that, I'm turning red again. "Oh, well, it's not like that..."

"Oh?" Kara replies, taking a step closer.

Koriand'r is right behind her, saying, "It's okay, Jonathan. I was commenting on your sculpted physique."

"My what?" I repeat incredulously.

"How come I never got to see this show?" Kara asks teasingly. The two girls are practically on top of me now. At this point, I'm sure that my face is probably the same color as Superman's cape. "You know, it's never too late..."

This can't be happening. This can't be happening. This can't be--

Wait a minute.

Was that a--?

Clown riding a tricycle down the hallway?

Yep.

Well, then, you're right. This can't be happening.

Why not?

'Cause you're dreaming.

***

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

I wake up to my dark room.

"Holy crap."

Johnny Storm, how do you get yourself into these messes?
​

 

[Karem-Knight]

The Pentagon

"Five minutes, Mr. President." said the Pentagon's sectary of public broadcasting from the government building as several assistants helped Luthor into his new suit with his Vice President Robert Kelly inside the room with him.

"Understood." Lex nodded assuringly as the last dash of make-up was applied to his face.

"I just don't understand why you insisted on finding out the news of the Sentinel along with the rest of the public, especially considering your temper." Kelly asked Lex worryingly.

"My dear Robert, you have seen the opinion polls. The public is frightened and they need security from us, so ofcourse they're going to want to know that they are safe from a world of super-powered beings. You've seen the opinion polls, the likelihood of this being unaccepted are slim to none."

"I know Lex, but what if it isn't accepted and you blow a fuse on live television?"


"Again my dear friend, chances are too slim for this not to be accepted. The real trouble is them to gain our trust on the meta-human registration. Now, if you'll excuse me...."

Pentagon Press Room

Lex came into the Pentagon press room with the photographers and all the journalists with their pens and papers looking at the President eagerly awaiting the results for the programmed Sentinel approval bill.

"Good afternoon my fellow americans, today as you may know come in the results of the Sentinel Mark II program's acceptance into the public as guardians against meta-human threats. As you may know I do not the following results as do any of you as I explicitly stated; something this major to our nation's home and security is something that needed done in the democratic way or rather the American way."

General Thunderbolt Ross, Luthor's Secretary of Defense passed an envelope to the President with the results of the bill whereupon many voters decided weather or not they would want a mass horde of machines circling the country.

"Inside this envelope are the results for the program that you, the citizens have decided upon....and the results are....."

Lex slowly opened up the envelope enjoying the drama of it all opening this bill of America's military defences like it were an Oscar ceremony, he was almost disappointed that there was no drum-roll for him to increase the suspense as the public eagerly watched him take the results of the bill out and read it.

"...the bill has had an over-whelming 65% agreement from the American public."

Lex tried to hold back his smile as the reporters stared barking questions at the President as he just simply put his hands up to the crowd trying to calm them down ans assured them to keep quiet.

"Please, please. I will answer your questions in due time; right now, due to the mass amount of votes in favour for this bill me and my staff require time to prepare the assemblies of the Sentinel programs. Finally, as I stated two weeks ago; there is also another bill me and my administration have proposed being of course, the Meta-Human Registration Act. I ask you, next month to make up your mind wisely on this bill just as you have with this one. Thank you and good afternoon"

The President walked away from the press-conference as a horde of questions and statements from journalists became ignored, he now had the approval of the American public to oversee the threats of super-humans in the public. Now, all that was needed was his chance to have complete control of all super-humans.