One Universe: Season IV IC Thread

[Eddie Brock]

Luthor sits behind his desk, not so subtlety reminding us that he's the most powerful man in the world. As if the giant mansion or the confrontation with Pym weren't reminders enough.

I let Superman walk right up to the desk and standoff with Luthor. I remain by the door out of habit.

Reaching into my cape, I pull out the documents with the evidence we gathered and hold them out for Superman to take. "We're going to talk about this. I don't think I need to say these are just copies?"

"A lot of dummy corporations, some contract work from some of science's biggest names," I say as I look over the documents one last time. It's funny, you know. For all my power, I can be brought down by a little rock. Now, I'm the one holding a small object with the power to tear down a titan.

I drop the documents unceremoniously on Luthor's desk - the same desk once used by honorable men with good intentions, now tarnished by Luthor's very presence.

"But you're a smart man, Lex. I trust we don't need to spell it out for you."

 

[Eddie Brock]

I nod quietly and take a hold of the rest of the team, "Hold on. You know how veird zhis can be."

BAMF

Instantly we're back on the plane, and Scott and I strap ourselves back into the pilot seats of the Blackbird. I put the ship through it's preflight checklists and updates before looking up at Scott, "Vhere to, boss? Back to the mansion?"

"That's right, Kurt." I lean my head back, closing my eyes for a moment. "Take us home."

***

The Blackbird approaches the spacious campus in the middle of upstate New York. From above, it's as unassuming as any other private institution. However, it's home to over three thousand mutants. Most of them are students, ranging from grade school all the way through high school. Some of them - such as Jean and myself - are former students, residing in the spacious hallways of the mansion.

All of us call it home.

I press a button on the Blackbird's control panel, and the soccer field beneath us slides open. I nod to Kurt, who begins to ease the plane down. Once the wheels touch, the ground above us closes back up. Kurt and I shut off the Blackbird's engines, unbuckling our seatbelts and navigating the cramped cabin.

~Welcome back, Scott. If you have a minute, I'd like to speak to you in my office.~

"Alright, X-Men. We're home. I have to go meet with the Professor, but plan for a Danger Room session tomorrow night after dinner," I announce. I give a little nod to dismiss them, and we all make our way down the secret underground corridors that compose our base under the school.
​

 

[Catman_prb]

"A lot of dummy corporations, some contract work from some of science's biggest names," I say as I look over the documents one last time. It's funny, you know. For all my power, I can be brought down by a little rock. Now, I'm the one holding a small object with the power to tear down a titan.

I drop the documents unceremoniously on Luthor's desk - the same desk once used by honorable men with good intentions, now tarnished by Luthor's very presence.

"But you're a smart man, Lex. I trust we don't need to spell it out for you."

Luthor arched an eyebrow.

"Gentlemen, are you honestly trying to threaten the President of the United States? You have a list of contractors who you suspect have worked on a particularly lethal robot. So what? That's bad for them, not for me," Lex said, spreading his hands and letting a small smile cross his face.

"What do you expect me to do? Resign on the spot? Kneel down and beg for your mercy and forgiveness? Do you think they're going to impeach me based on this spotty evidence? Granted, if it were released to the press it may slow down some of my more radical policies...but not for long," the President said, placing his palms on the table and pushing himself up from the desk.

"So the only question is; what do we do now?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

I follow my fellow officer's lead by scrambling into my unmarked car. The acid begins to eat through the roof. Stepping out of the car after the barrage of chemicals has stopped, I see Quinzell holding a bazooka on her shoulder. And then I see Sarah.

"Freeze!" She shouts as she places her gun to the Arkham doctor's head. "You move, and I create a hole so big, I can drive an eighteen wheeler through your head after you're dead."

BANG!

Shock in her eyes, Harley tumbles to the ground. The rocket launcher falls with a clatter. A pool of blood begins to form around the fresh wound in her chest. Meanwhile, wisps of smoke float through the air from the barrel of the Joker's pistol. He smirks devilishly at Sarah Essen.

"What a twist!"

The Joker draws another pistol, aiming both at Essen. The officer keeps her gun raised in response. The Joker glances briefly at Harley's bleeding body before staring the Commissioner in the eyes.

"I shot my girlfriend...what's keeping me from shooting yours?" he grins.

 

[wiegeabo]

Luthor arched an eyebrow.

"Gentlemen, are you honestly trying to threaten the President of the United States? You have a list of contractors who you suspect have worked on a particularly lethal robot. So what? That's bad for them, not for me," Lex said, spreading his hands and letting a small smile cross his face.

"What do you expect me to do? Resign on the spot? Kneel down and beg for your mercy and forgiveness? Do you think they're going to impeach me based on this spotty evidence? Granted, if it were released to the press it may slow down some of my more radical policies...but not for long," the President said, placing his palms on the table and pushing himself up from the desk.

"So the only question is; what do we do now?"

I cross my arms and stare Luthor down.

"Kill the registration act and the evidence goes away."

Kent looks at me with pure disbelief. I knew he'd react that way, which is why I didn't tell him.

On the other hand, Luthor keeps his cool, but I can see him weighing his options. He's surprised too. Good. Luthor is someone you need to keep off balance, and it's not usually easy to do.

 

[Eddie Brock]

I cross my arms and stare Luthor down.

"Kill the registration act and the evidence goes away."

Kent looks at me with pure disbelief. I knew he'd react that way, which is why I didn't tell him.

On the other hand, Luthor keeps his cool, but I can see him weighing his options. He's surprised too. Good. Luthor is someone you need to keep off balance, and it's not usually easy to do.

When Batman makes his offer, I feel like I just swallowed a chunk of Kryptonite. Not wanting to let Luthor see the cracks developing in my shell, I keep my cool and say, "Batman, a word?"

I glance back at Luthor. His cold, calculating eyes shift from Batman to me to the documents and back to Batman again. I can only imagine what he's thinking, but I'm much more interested in what Batman can possibly be thinking to have put this deal on the table.

 

[Blacklight]

I step out of the shower and wipe the mirror down. Looking closely, I rub my face and shake my head. When did I get so damn old?

The doorbell snaps me out of my self-pity. Something I've been slipping into all too easily lately. In a few seconds, I'm dried off, and in some civilian clothes.

The doorbell rings again and again.

"Alright, alright. Hold your horses!" I open the door to see who's being so impatient-

"Oh, hey Tony....What brings you all the way out here?"

"Nothing much, Jay. Just here to pick something up. I'm sure you might have an idea as to what..." Tony hinted as he entered Jay's humble abode, closing the door behind him.

 

[wiegeabo]

When Batman makes his offer, I feel like I just swallowed a chunk of Kryptonite. Not wanting to let Luthor see the cracks developing in my shell, I keep my cool and say, "Batman, a word?"

I glance back at Luthor. His cold, calculating eyes shift from Batman to me to the documents and back to Batman again. I can only imagine what he's thinking, but I'm much more interested in what Batman can possibly be thinking to have put this deal on the table.

I keep my eyes trained on Luthor, my face a mask. Important tip: never play poker with me when I mean it.

I lower my voice to a dull growl. I seriously doubt Luthor is recording this conversation. The last thing he'd want is evidence of our evidence. Still, my hand under my cape, I feel for the scrambler in my belt, double-checking it's still active.

"What?" I ask, as if there's nothing to discuss.

 

[Green Lantern]

Hank had gathered the other Avengers on the President's request, and had them sitting in wait, for anything that went wrong. However, Hank didn't wait with them. He instead shrunk down to ant size and followed the heroes and Luthor to make sure the president was safe. Not much he could do against Superman, but at least he'd get in the way if it came to blows. He was not, however, prepared for the revelations he heard in that conversation.

Oh man. I have a feeling I'll be out of a job soon. Unemployment here I come.

 

[Eddie Brock]

I keep my eyes trained on Luthor, my face a mask. Important tip: never play poker with me when I mean it.

I lower my voice to a dull growl. I seriously doubt Luthor is recording this conversation. The last thing he'd want is evidence of our evidence. Still, my hand under my cape, I feel for the scrambler in my belt, double-checking it's still active.

"What?" I ask, as if there's nothing to discuss.

"You're going to let him squirm his way out of this?" I ask incredulously, making sure to speak quietly enough that only Batman will hear me. "This is our chance to be rid of Luthor once and for all! Regardless of what he says, what we have is enough to raise suspicion. No one will stand by a man they suspect of being a mass murderer!"

Once I got over the disgust of realizing the truth about Luthor's involvement with Amazo, I quickly saw an opportunity. Ever since his election, I've dreamed of ways of removing Luthor from office. Now, we have our first real chance to do so, and Batman is going to risk it for some other agenda.

"We can beat registration. We don't have to go down like this."

 

[Byrd Man]

BANG!

Shock in her eyes, Harley tumbles to the ground. The rocket launcher falls with a clatter. A pool of blood begins to form around the fresh wound in her chest. Meanwhile, wisps of smoke float through the air from the barrel of the Joker's pistol. He smirks devilishly at Sarah Essen.

"What a twist!"

The Joker draws another pistol, aiming both at Essen. The officer keeps her gun raised in response. The Joker glances briefly at Harley's bleeding body before staring the Commissioner in the eyes.

"I shot my girlfriend...what's keeping me from shooting yours?" he grins.

"How about this?"

I squeeze the trigger twice, the gun kicks in my hands. Two shots, aimed right for the Joker's shoulder. He goes down to the ground, his guns falling out of his hands. That's when SWAT rushes his prone body, tackling the clown and holding him down.

"I want him alive!" I shout over the sounds of struggle. "Arrest him and call in a code two. We need an ambulance on scene to look after Quinzell."

 

[Eddie Brock]

"How about this?"

I squeeze the trigger twice, the gun kicks in my hands. Two shots, aimed right for the Joker's shoulder. He goes down to the ground, his guns falling out of his hands. That's when SWAT rushes his prone body, tackling the clown and holding him down.

"I want him alive!" I shout over the sounds of struggle. "Arrest him and call in a code two. We need an ambulance on scene to look after Quinzell."

As the Joker is forced down by several officers, he turns and looks at Harley Quinn. "Hell of a party, huh?"

"You...you shot me! You bastard!"

The Joker rolls his eyes, his grin never fading. "I've shot a lot of people. What's your point?"

"Hmpf!"

Looking up at the SWAT officer handcuffing him, the Clown Prince of Crime asks, "Say, what does Arkham have in the way of 'couples counseling?' Hahahahahaha!"

 

[wiegeabo]

"You're going to let him squirm his way out of this?" I ask incredulously, making sure to speak quietly enough that only Batman will hear me. "This is our chance to be rid of Luthor once and for all! Regardless of what he says, what we have is enough to raise suspicion. No one will stand by a man they suspect of being a mass murderer!"

Once I got over the disgust of realizing the truth about Luthor's involvement with Amazo, I quickly saw an opportunity. Ever since his election, I've dreamed of ways of removing Luthor from office. Now, we have our first real chance to do so, and Batman is going to risk it for some other agenda.

"We can beat registration. We don't have to go down like this."

Not taking my eyes off Luthor, I speak without moving my lips, not sure if Luthor can read them. It pays to study under a magician-slash-ventriloquist.

"In your...position, you should know the pulse of the nation. After Stamford, registration is all the rage. If we bring Luthor down, if capes bring Luthor down, do you really think registration will fall with him? Or do you think it impossible that a senator or two won't try and use it for their own agenda? Drum up support in Congress against the superheroes who considered themselves above the President and push it through."

"And once registration is law, what happens to us? Can you give up being Superman? Can Superman live with being an outlaw?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

Not taking my eyes off Luthor, I speak without moving my lips, not sure if Luthor can read them. It pays to study under a magician-slash-ventriloquist.

"In your...position, you should know the pulse of the nation. After Stamford, registration is all the rage. If we bring Luthor down, if capes bring Luthor down, do you really think registration will fall with him? Or do you think it impossible that a senator or two won't try and use it for their own agenda? Drum up support in Congress against the superheroes who considered themselves above the President and push it through."

"And once registration is law, what happens to us? Can you give up being Superman? Can Superman live with being an outlaw?"

Truth be told, I haven't given much thought to registration or its effect on me. On the one hand, there's no way Luthor or anyone else could make me hang up my cape, but being Superman puts me in a precarious situation. I have to be a role model, a symbol as it were. If registration goes through, I would have no choice but to follow the letter of the law. No more life as Clark Kent, no more Daily Planet, no more Lois...

"I can cross that bridge when we get to it," I answer, perhaps a little more confidently than I feel. "Registration is the lesser of two evils. You're making a deal with the Devil."

 

[Eddie Brock]

CYCLOPS

I take my hand out of my pocket and reach to knock on the Professor's door.

~Please, Scott. Come in.~

I can't help but smirk. I always used to hate it when he did that. When I open the door, however, the smirk on my face instantly vanishes. Professor Xavier is seated behind his desk, but that's not what makes me sick. The man once known as Magneto, Erik Lehnsherr, sits on the edge of the desk. A man once hellbent on subjugating the human race to mutant rule, a man I've squared off against, is laughing it up with my mentor.

"Hello, Scott," Lehnsherr says cordially, as if he hadn't tried to kill me numerous times in the past. He turns to the Professor with a warm smile and announces, "I'll leave you alone with your student." He nods to me as he passes on his way out of the office.

Once Lehnsherr is out of earshot, the Professor says, "You must have more faith in my judgment, Scott. I have known Erik for much longer than I think you realize. I would not allow him to stay here if I didn't believe his intentions."

I don't say anything. Not that it matters. Even without the use of his telepathy, I'm sure the Professor knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"I take it the mission went well?"

Grateful for the change in topic, I answer, "Yes. We were able to subdue Mr. Allerdyce before the situation got out-of-hand."

The Professor nods. He wheels around his desk, motioning for me to take a seat in either of the open chairs facing it. As I do so, he rolls to a stop at the corner of his desk. "I don't have to read your mind to tell that you know that this is about more than just the mission," the Professor smiles.

I nod.

"You were one of my first students, Scott. When you came here, you were just a scared boy with a power you couldn't control. In time, you've grown to be the man I see before me today. Strong-willed, confident, charismatic. But you'll have to forgive me if I still see you as the boy I once knew."

"What are you trying to say, Professor?" I ask curiously.

"You haven't been a student here in quite some time, Scott," the Professor answers. "So I'm asking you if you'd like to be a teacher."

The offer catches me totally off-guard. "Professor, I'm hardly older than some of the students here."

The Professor waves a dismissive hand. "The students will relate to you, Scott. Besides, I think you'll find that being a teacher is much like leading the X-Men." He smiles warmly. "The skills you use in the field to command your team are much the same skills you will use in the classroom."

A teacher? I wonder what Jean'll think.

"Miss Grey has already graciously accepted a position teaching English Literature," the Professor explains. "Additionally, Dr. McCoy is resuming his post as Chemistry and Biology professor, as well as volunteering to maintain the school's library."

"So what would I teach?"

The Professor picks up a textbook from his desk and hands it to me. "American History, if you're interested."

"How did you know I like--?"

The Professor taps a finger against his temple and gives a little wink. "So what do you say, Mr. Summers?"
​

 

[Catman_prb]

Truth be told, I haven't given much thought to registration or its effect on me. On the one hand, there's no way Luthor or anyone else could make me hang up my cape, but being Superman puts me in a precarious situation. I have to be a role model, a symbol as it were. If registration goes through, I would have no choice but to follow the letter of the law. No more life as Clark Kent, no more Daily Planet, no more Lois...

"I can cross that bridge when we get to it," I answer, perhaps a little more confidently than I feel. "Registration is the lesser of two evils. You're making a deal with the Devil."

Luthor smiled as the two heroes discussed their actions. Good. If they were doubting each other already then they would be even easier to divide and conquer. He thought over Batman's proposal - specifically, how to circumvent it whilst retaining his own position. He thought that he could defeat the rather sketchy evidence against him - after all, if you didn't have lackeys around to take the flak for you once and again, what was the point in them.

He coughed quietly, interrupting the heroes silent conversation.

"I have considered your offer Batman," the president said "And I have decided not to take it. You will go from here, and feel free to take the evidence with you, but you will not stop the Superhuman Registration Act. Even if you destroy my reputation, there are others that will take my place. Be aware, the public are not your sycophantic fans anymore. They are scared of you. And I can offer them salvation."

 

[Byrd Man]

As the Joker is forced down by several officers, he turns and looks at Harley Quinn. "Hell of a party, huh?"

"You...you shot me! You bastard!"

The Joker rolls his eyes, his grin never fading. "I've shot a lot of people. What's your point?"

"Hmpf!"

Looking up at the SWAT officer handcuffing him, the Clown Prince of Crime asks, "Say, what does Arkham have in the way of 'couples counseling?' Hahahahahaha!"

"Get him out of my sight."

I turn away and walk towards my car. Sarah chases after me, calling my name out. "What about the scene here?"

"It's yours now, Sarah. I believe they're firing me in ten minutes."

Sliding into the driver's seat of my unmarked, I start it up and get ready for one last ride down to Central.

 

[Carnage27]

I walk away from the Blackbird, Colossus following close behind. He looks down at me and asks, "You want to play some football?"

"Maybe a little later, mein friend," I respond with a smile. "But I think I vant to-"

"Amara?" he asks, giving me a raised eyebrow.

I simply smile and nod. Just a few short months ago, I rescued Amara from a world lost in time ruled by some nut job mutant. Ever since I brought her back, I've been helping the Professor acclimate her to the modern day world. And let's just say I've taken a liking to her.

"What a surprise," Pete laughs at me.

"Vhat!?" I chuckle, throwing my hands up in a defensive position.

"Nothing, nothing, buddy. She's great. I'll catch you later."

Heading up the elevator from the basement, I make my way towards the dormitories, greeting friends as I pass by them on my way to Amara's room. I knock on the door and enter.

There, sitting only a few inches away from her television is Amara. I can't help but laugh. She's so out of place here in this world, but maybe that's why I'm so attracted to her. I am too. Sure, not in the same way, but still. I'm a blue, fury, devil-boy and she's someone who thought she was living in the past.

Yea...that makes sense, Kurt.

"Kurt!" she says hoping off of her chair, her long, blond hair moving like a wave in the breeze flowing through the window. She rushes over to me and takes me by the hands, pulling me over to the TV, and planting me on the edge of her bed. "Did you know that there aren't really people in the TV!? Mr. Forge tells me that it's just electrical signals, like lightening, coming through that string, I think he called it a wire, in the back of the TV!"

I chuckle, "Yes, I had heard something about zhat."

"Oh...you're teasing me!" she pouts.

"I only do it because I like you, Amara," I smile. "How have zhe past few days been?"

"They've gone well," she smiles back. "The Professor says I may be ready to take classes in a few weeks. I hope it's true. I'm tired of everyone treating me like I'm weird."

"Don't worry, it won't last long," I nod. "It happens to all zhe new kids when zhey first get here. It'll stop soon."

"How was the mission?"

"It vent well,and ve got zhe guy."

"He used to work with Professor Lehnsherr, right?"

I can't but help but shutter at the name. Erik Lehnsherr aka Magneto. A fugitive, currently being hidden here at the mansion by Professor Xavier himself. And Xavier even lets him teach the X-men new battle tactics. As much as he has helped us, I can't help but distrust him. Only a year ago he tried to destroy half the cities in the United States.

But Professor X trusts him, meaning I should too.

"Yes...yes he did," I nod.

"I hope they let me on missions at sometime. It would be fun," she beams.

"You need to learn to control your powers first," I laugh, before Pete comes to the door, football in hand.

"You ready?" he asks.

"Yea," I nod, hoping off the bed, before turning back to Amara, "You vant to come?"

"No, I have a session with Dr. McCoy."

"Okay, see ya later!"

 

[J'adore]

jesse quick
​

Bobbi Morse - my best friend. We jump from rooftop to rooftop, scanning the streets of Gotham. Jessica Jones, reporter to the Daily Planet, has been reported missing for a few days now. Bobbi's combined her CIA skills and college journalism skills to find some leads to where she might be.

We kneel down on the roof of a factory building. We can see a large boat over at the Gotham docks. Small but bulky and toned men walk back and forth up the docks, collecting heavy crates and loading them into a large, cargo type ship. Bobbi stands up, her bleach blonde hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, making swift movements in the wind. She fits on a black eye mask, matching her black boots and gloves. She looks down at her tight pale blue gym vest and lycra pants.

"Before we go kick ass - Why did you pick your gym outfit!?" I hiss, glaring down at my original super hero outfit. I stand up beside Bobbi, curling my hands into fists.

"Well, I'm sorry! We're not all daughters of veteran heroes! And we don't all have a hero alias that we fight crime with!" Bobbi hisses back. I stick my tongue out and I continue to stand beside her.

I begin to laugh, nudging Bobbi.

"So what's your alias, then? Gym girl?" Bobbi opens her mouth to reply, but we're both startled by a loud series of gunfire shots.

BUDDA BUDDA BUDDA BUDDA

"Oh Charlemagne...How long did you think you could stay alive? We knew you were coming...Foolish girl," A young, slim but beautiful looking woman stands infront of the men we saw earlier. They all hold machine guns and now are suited with flat caps and slick jackets. Another woman lays on the floor, a pool of blood leaking from underneath her body. Her body lays still but her eyes do not.

"Throw her into the sea! We have bigger problems..."

Bobbie gritts her teeth as we watch the men launch the wounded female into the sea next to them, blood rising to the surface. "I'll go first, don't come down until my orders,"

Bobbi spreads out her arms and stands like a cross. She steps up to the ledge and leaps off into the darkness, flipping forwards before she lands perfectly on the docks below.

The female instantly spots her, growling as she points her arm sternly towards Bobbi. "Kill the intruder!"​

 

[Carnage27]

As the Titans head out into New York to quell the panic and chaos of the streets, I swing to an isolated rooftop and unattach the web bag from my bag. Opening it up I unfold it's contents and begin to change into them.

I remember the day after I changed back into my black costume in order to deal with the people's new opinions thanks to Luthor and his cronies. Gwen was disappointed in Spider-Man's decision to go back to the black suit. She said I should act like the hero that I am, instead of bowing to the public opinion.

And she was right. To hell with Luthor. To hell with everyone who thinks I'm not a hero. I know who I am, and I know what I need to be. And I'm going to show them that. I'm not running anymore.

I leap off the building and swing into downtown, and towards one final showdown with Goblin.

"Let's do this!"

**********

"Enjoying the view, my dear!" Goblin screams at Gwen as he passes over her in his glider, the wind from his pass almost knocking her off the platform where she stands. She looks down and sees the rushing water of the river below, along with a cleared off George Washington Bridge.

At both ends, fires rage, hindering any chance of saving the girl. A helicopter is seen on the horizon, and the Goblin cackles and takes off towards the incoming craft. As he approaches it, he lets fly a rocket, that slams into the aircraft, sending it down in flames towards the river.

He flies back towards Gwen and muses, "Don't you just love fireworks! Hahahahaha!"

**********

As I swing between buildings, Supergirl comes over the comm system we've set up, "Spider-man, I've found him. He's on the George Washington Bridge, and he just blew up a police helicopter."

"Okay, stay there, Kara," I respond, flipping, and changing my direction mid-air. "I'm on my way."
​

 

[wiegeabo]

"Nothing much, Jay. Just here to pick something up. I'm sure you might have an idea as to what..." Tony hinted as he entered Jay's humble abode, closing the door behind him.

I grin a little. "Sorry, Tony. But Joan doesn't give out her rum tart recipe to anyone. Besides, I thought you were on the wagon."

I pat Tony on the shoulder and motion him inside. "I know exactly what you want. I just can't believe you want it back already."

I notice the man standing outside. I reach out and shake his hand. "Oh, hi. Jay Garrick. You a friend of Tony's?"

 

[wiegeabo]

Luthor smiled as the two heroes discussed their actions. Good. If they were doubting each other already then they would be even easier to divide and conquer. He thought over Batman's proposal - specifically, how to circumvent it whilst retaining his own position. He thought that he could defeat the rather sketchy evidence against him - after all, if you didn't have lackeys around to take the flak for you once and again, what was the point in them.

He coughed quietly, interrupting the heroes silent conversation.

"I have considered your offer Batman," the president said "And I have decided not to take it. You will go from here, and feel free to take the evidence with you, but you will not stop the Superhuman Registration Act. Even if you destroy my reputation, there are others that will take my place. Be aware, the public are not your sycophantic fans anymore. They are scared of you. And I can offer them salvation."

"They may be scared of us, but they'll be terrified of you if they learn what happened. And good luck offering the people salvation from the inside of a prison cell."

I cross my arms over my chest and speak out to the air.

"Wouldn't you agree, Dr. Pym?"

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Unloosening my tie, I take the elevator down from the top floor to the basement. Grogan had all my belongings from my office packed in a neat little box and it's waiting for me in the lobby. He's the new commissioner and I'm out. They're allowing me to go out on a Colonel's pension, apparently I'm not worthy enough to get the full benefits of a retired commissioner.

The elevator dings and the basement comes into view. Down here is ECU, the Evidence Control Unit. Anything that's been used in a case, or the personal belongings of a criminal goes down here. I wave to Bobby, the man at the desk and go on in. He knows what I'm down here for and I move as fast as I can not to disturb him. It takes me a few minutes to navigate the cluttered filled shelves to find what I'm looking for. Halfway down the fourth row is where I find it.

Dent, Harvey

I pull out the plastic bag and rummage through my former friend's belongings. I find it in his wallet, a picture of him and Gilda on their wedding day. Taking the photo, I place it in my jacket and hurr out of ECU and up the stairs. The security guards are waiting for me when the elevator opens. Grabbing the box of my belongings, I exit out the door and into the afternoon. I take one long look back at Central.

I gave almost thirty years of my life to the Job. I made close to a thousand arrests, most of them violent criminals, and worked my way up the ladder by being an honest cop. The Job cost me my marriage, my relationship with my son, and a smoking habit I'm still fighting.

At the end of it all, when all the cuffs have been slapped on and all the bad guys are in jail, all we're left with is a box full of memories handed to us by security.

I shake my head and turn away from Central.

No more cases, no more MCU, no more killer clows, and no more Bat-signal.

Jim Gordon: civilian.

I don't know what the hell I'll do with me time, but I do have a pretty good idea.​

 

[Byrd Man]

As I swing between buildings, Supergirl comes over the comm system we've set up, "Spider-man, I've found him. He's on the George Washington Bridge, and he just blew up a police helicopter."​

"Okay, stay there, Kara," I respond, flipping, and changing my direction mid-air. "I'm on my way."​

I swing over a low-rise building in Spanish Harlem and listen in on the comm as Spider-Man and Supergirl talk back and forth.

"We can be there for back-up, Spidey, just say the word."

I let go of my grapnel line and come down on the street, nearly landing on one of Multiple Man's dupes.

"Look out!"

"Sorry...uhh, do I call you Jamie or, like...Number 321?"

"I'm Number 12, thank you very much. Come with me, Mister Leotard. We have some business just up the street."

The dupe takes off down the street and I follow, running down the road. We both stop at the street corner, watching a gigantic black man pummeling an entire street gang by himself.

"So, are we gonna help him or what?"

"I don't know. He's doing so well, hate to cramp his style."

Grabbing the dupe by the collar, I leap into battle with the gang, helping out the lone man. In a few minutes, we've taken the gang out of commission. The dupe is wheezing and even I've worked up a sweat, but the man breathes regularly as he looks us over.

"Didn't think you little brothas came this far past 125th street."

"Hey, I'm from Gotham. I don't come to New York period."

"Thanks for the help, man. Name's Luke Cage. Protector of Harlem."

"I'm Robin this is...uhh, one of the Multiple Men."

"Right," Cage says with a smirk. "If ya'll want to help out up here in Harlem and Spanish Harlem, follow me. We got some asses to kick."

I look at the dupe and smile. "Let's do it."

 

[Carnage27]

An explosion rocks the SHIELD compound as my eyes flutter open and adjust to the harsh, white light of a medical examination room. I quickly attempt to regain my footing, but the SHIELD mental destabilization is still affecting my motor skills.

I stumble, but am quickly propped up by a man dressed in a SHIELD uniform, "Be careful, lord Adam. It may take a few moments for you to regain your strength."

"Thank you," I reply, standing on my own. "What is your name, man?"

"Tehnet Hassan," he says, bowing his head.

"Then once this is over, you will be rewarded, Tehnet Hassan. So says Adam," I reply. "Now, stand back. I would not want you to be harmed."

He does so, leaving the room. I nod to him, look to the heavens, and yell, "SHAZAM!"

After the word leaves my mouth, a powerful bolt of lightening slams through the SHIELD compound, leaving a gaping crater down to the level I am currently inhabiting. The bolt strikes my chest, and I feel the powers of the gods flowing through my body yet again.

And I smile. I smile because Luthor has lost. He sought to rid the world of my power. Rid the world of my strength. Rid the world of someone who could stop him. But now he has lost in that aim.

But he had taken something from me that I hold more dear than even my coming revenge: the life of my people. He had snuck his Avengers past my borders, and then dropped his metallic Sentinels from the sky like angels of death. And that is not something I will let pass. The opinions of the world be damned. I will destroy Lex Luthor.

I take off through the crater and out towards the light, followed by a number of others that had been incarcerated in the SHIELD facility. As I breach the hole and show my face on the surface, a great cheer goes up as my mutant special forces team greet my return.

"My friends!" I smile as the mutant Dust, the unit's leader, approaches him. "Dust, you have done Adam proud. Now, let us plan our revenge!"

"I don't think so, Adam!"

"Your escape is going to be short lived!"
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