One Universe: Season IV IC Thread

[SenseiofCheese]

Thor nodded in response to The Vision, at the same time taking in this new information.

"Vision, tell us of this... Khandaq."

"Vision, if I may.." Hank raised his hand and, for a moment, thought Vision looked...disappointed. Before, of course, he noted that disappointment wasn't something he programmed into Vision.

Thor and Black Adam knowing each other was news to Hank. And, according to the SHIELD database, it wasn't exactly common knowledge. Hank made a mental note to ask Thor about it, sensing that now perhaps wasn't the best time.

"It seems Black Adam also remembers your time in his country." Hank began, noticing a small flutter just above his vision. He immediately knew it was Janet sneaking in the room. If she wanted to skulk in the corner, he'd let her. "Some months back Vision and the Sentry were sent on a black ops team to dismantle a munitions factory in Kahndaq. The mission itself was a success, but the clean-up...not so much."

Hank pressed another button on the pad on the table and the picture of Black Adam changed to a picture of the destroyed munitions factory. "Our cleanup crew was apprehended by the Kahndaqi government. We at SHIELD, of course, utilized our full deniability, but it seems that wasn't enough. Black Adam knows that it was America that crossed the border into his domain....and he's not happy about it."

Another press of the button and the screen changed to a swarm of images.

"These satellite images suggested what we have since confirmed.

Hank's face became like stone and his voice deeper. Hawkeye lazily strolled into the conference room just as the words left Hank's mouth.

"Black Adam is preparing to launch a full scale meta-human invasion on America."

 

[Keyser Soze]

I wipe the blood from my hands as I look at Tony.

"I'm sorry about that, I really am."

I'm breathing heavy, still out of breath. I look down at Nazi's body and back up at Iron Man.

"I think me might want to secure him, and then see if we can help with the clean up."

It wasn't long before S.H.I.E.L.D. (or D.O.U.C.H.E., as I call them) showed up to collect Captain Nazi. No love lost there, but Cap and I both keep our distance, don't give them any excuse to act out against us. Even here, we can't escape Luthor's poisonous influence. D.O.U.C.H.E. is a global agency, after all...

Once the cavalry has flown off, Steve and I get back to helping the fire crews clear up the wreckage. Fixing the damage is the least we can do, seeing we caused much of it. I've cast my helmet aside for now, seeing that this isn't really glamorous superhero stuff. I'm not trying to put on a show, I just want to do the right thing.

"Makes you wonder if we're doing more harm than good," I say to Captain America as we shift debris, "You got round to seeing The Untouchables since they revived you from your beauty sleep?"

He stares at me blankly.

"They bring a knife you bring a gun," I say in an awful Scottish accent, "They sent one of ours to the hospital you send one of theirs to the morgue."

Still he stares at me blankly.

"What I mean is, with all these folks with superpowers coming out the woodwork, people like me putting on suits of armor with the power of a walking nuke to fight crime.... are we encouraging the bad guys to respond in kind? And are scenes like this... or worse... what we end up with?"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"You're right," Jamie said, passing Laura, still wrapped up in his coat, into Jean's arms. He turned to Nightcrawler, tears running down his cheeks silently as he tried to keep a straight face.

"Give me the sword," he muttered, before taking the weapon off of his team mate without waiting for an answer. A duplicate emerged from beside him with sword in hand, hair plastered to his face. Whilst he didn't have Kurt's prowess with the weapon, a dupe had once spent a year studying kendo in Japan.

"I'll hit him high, you hit him low,"

The two Madroxes charged at the glowing orange figure, slashing at it with the iron swords. Proteus grabbed the duplicate in one crackling hand, forced his mouth open and jumped inside. Jamie screamed in pain and dropped to the ground, bringing his hands to his head as what felt like a fire burst out in his brain.

"A little boy playing in a man's world,"

Jamie looked up to see his own face grinning down at him, eyes a burning orange.

"Dont act like you know me," Jamie whispered.

"But I know all about you Jamie. I know your worst secret, your darkest desire. I know of the one you love and the ones that you have loved. I am you. And your father. And your brother. I am ever changing, ever evolving. I am the future of mutant kind," the smiling Jamie said, handing a sword to his double "I am Proteus. You know what you must do,"

The air around them rippled, and Jamie saw rather than felt his hand grab the blade and bring it to his neck.

"Cut the god ****," Jamie snarled "You're nothing,"

"I am everything. I am the future. Moira told me so," the creature that had once been Kevin said, something approaching doubt entering it's mind for what seemed like the first time.

The rain thudded onto the platform, the seas around Muir Island raging in the high winds and storms. The fake Jamie grabbed the real one by the hair, dragging him towards the railings and gesturing out at the black stormy skies before them.

"Don't you see it Jamie? This world is ours for the taking. It belongs to mutant kind. Our kind,"

Jamie grabbed Kurt's sword and rammed it hard between Proteus' ribs. He saw the look of shock and confusion on his own face. Jamie shoved him backwards, over the rail and into the raging ocean.

"You're nothing like me," he whispered.

Scott, Jean, and the rest of the X-Men all walked up to Jamie as he stood leaning on the raining. A moment of silence fell over the group as the storm thundered above them.

"Jamie...I...", Ororo began, but couldn't find the words to finish.

Scott walked up to Madrox, placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Come on...let's go home."

 

[Catman_prb]

Scott, Jean, and the rest of the X-Men all walked up to Jamie as he stood leaning on the raining. A moment of silence fell over the group as the storm thundered above them.

"Jamie...I...", Ororo began, but couldn't find the words to finish.

Scott walked up to Madrox, placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Come on...let's go home."

"Huh," Jamie said, his eyes fixed on something far out at sea "Yeah, yeah I suppose you're right,"

Laura was standing watching him with wide eyes, his trenchcoat wrapped tightly around her shoulders.

"Jamie-" she started.

"You're coming back with me, right?" he said seriously, fixing her with a concerned eye.

"Sure, I guess," she mumbled, eyes trailing on the floor.

"Cool. I've got some people you need to meet,"

 

[Carnage27]

We return to the Blackbird, and I make sure Laura and Jamie are okay before returning to the cockpit.

"Are they okay?" Jean asks with a worried face.

"Yes, zhey are fine, sleeping on zhe cots in zhe back," I respond to her question before looking at Scott. "I don't know if ve have any other prospective students, but I believe it is time to return to zhe mansion."

"I don't think zhe team can take another episode like this without some rest."

 

[Keyser Soze]

"Vision, if I may.." Hank raised his hand and, for a moment, thought Vision looked...disappointed. Before, of course, he noted that disappointment wasn't something he programmed into Vision.

Thor and Black Adam knowing each other was news to Hank. And, according to the SHIELD database, it wasn't exactly common knowledge. Hank made a mental note to ask Thor about it, sensing that now perhaps wasn't the best time.

"It seems Black Adam also remembers your time in his country." Hank began, noticing a small flutter just above his vision. He immediately knew it was Janet sneaking in the room. If she wanted to skulk in the corner, he'd let her. "Some months back Vision and the Sentry were sent on a black ops team to dismantle a munitions factory in Kahndaq. The mission itself was a success, but the clean-up...not so much."

Hank pressed another button on the pad on the table and the picture of Black Adam changed to a picture of the destroyed munitions factory. "Our cleanup crew was apprehended by the Kahndaqi government. We at SHIELD, of course, utilized our full deniability, but it seems that wasn't enough. Black Adam knows that it was America that crossed the border into his domain....and he's not happy about it."

Another press of the button and the screen changed to a swarm of images.

"These satellite images suggested what we have since confirmed.

Hank's face became like stone and his voice deeper. Hawkeye lazily strolled into the conference room just as the words left Hank's mouth.

"Black Adam is preparing to launch a full scale meta-human invasion on America."

Thor nodded solemnly as Hank Pym explained the situation.

"This is a grave matter indeed, Henry Pym. How do you propose we respond to it? The Avengers charging headlong into battle in Khandaq may not be the most wise of paths. It is Adam's belief that America had invaded his homeland that has stoked the flames of his wrath in the first place, is it not?"

Thor stood up and paced across the room, stopping in front of the images of Khandaq on the video screen. America had so much advanced technology available to them in all aspects of life, including warfare. But Thor knew more about the nature of combat than any man-made machine.

"I am an Asgardian warrior. Battle is in my blood, my people's blood, and if necessary, I will not hesitate to lead the charge into war. If necessary. In my younger days, centuries upon centuries ago, I may have been frivolous about such matters. But now I am older, and I like to think wiser, and so realise war should only be decided upon when all other options are exhausted."

Thor paused, looking around the room.

"I know Black Adam, a little. Perhaps I can talk to him, allow him to unburden his grievances upon me, and urge him to resolve this dispute through peaceful means."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

We return to the Blackbird, and I make sure Laura and Jamie are okay before returning to the cockpit.

"Are they okay?" Jean asks with a worried face.

"Yes, zhey are fine, sleeping on zhe cots in zhe back," I respond to her question before looking at Scott. "I don't know if ve have any other prospective students, but I believe it is time to return to zhe mansion."

"I don't think zhe team can take another episode like this without some rest."

"Yes, I do believe you're right, Kurt", Scott sighed as he pulled back on the controls, making the jet rise slowly into the air.

The helicopters were beginning to return to Muir Island now that the threat was neutralized. Moira sent a transmission to the Blackbird, expressing her gratitude for their heroics.
Scott did his best to smile back and end the conversation quickly. He definitely didn't feel like talking to anybody right now. Right now, he just wanted to get home.

The Jet accelerated, shooting off across the ocean towards America...

--------------------------------------------------​

The jet cruised into the secluded hanger bay, touching down gently onto the steel floor.

"Home, sweet home", Scott said as he opened the landing ramp and stood up from his seat.
"Ororo, Remy, Eve, Laura...welcome to the Xavier Institute."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

"I am an Asgardian warrior. Battle is in my blood, my people's blood, and if necessary, I will not hesitate to lead the charge into war. If necessary. In my younger days, centuries upon centuries ago, I may have been frivolous about such matters. But now I am older, and I like to think wiser, and so realise war should only be decided upon when all other options are exhausted."

Thor paused, looking around the room.

"I know Black Adam, a little. Perhaps I can talk to him, allow him to unburden his grievances upon me, and urge him to resolve this dispute through peaceful means."

The small conference room erupted in a bright green glow as Kyle Rayner made his way in, his emerald aura dying down as he noticed the debate. "Sorry I'm late." he said, before taking his seat.

"Lantern." Pym nodded towards Kyle before turning back to Thor. "Thor, Waller and SHIELD are adamant about stopping Black Adam now, before it gets worse. In the past he's shown a complete disregard for negotiations." Hank shook his head.

"With all due respect to Amanda Waller, I don't think those who have tried and failed to negotiate with this man have been Gods who share a personal history with him." Wonder Woman said confidently.

"I'm all for chargin' in, guns blazin', you know what I mean?." Hawkeye spoke with his dismissive demeanor, leaning on the far wall. "I've seen these kind of guys before. Powers or no powers, they're all the same. Try and negotiate with them and they lop off your arm. Only way to deal with this is to cut the head off the snake." he nodded.

"Granted, I was late and don't really know what's going on but I'd prefer no head-cutting." Kyle raised his hand and looked to his teammates, looking for explanation.

"Listen, Thor...if you really think you can talk to Adam...get him to see that what was done was necessary...then perhaps we can avoid any bloodshed." Hank pondered aloud, turning to look at the massive army of metahumans Black Adam was assembling as they spoke. "Alright." he finally decided. "We'll go into Kahndaq and let Thor speak to Adam. But we'll have to be prepared for the worst and. The Avengers will stand by outside of Kahndaq, and at the first sign of trouble, Thor..." Hank looked at Thor, making sure an understanding had been reached.

 

[Carnage27]

Wilson Fisk sits comfortably in his desk chair, hands folded on his desk, staring at the two men in front of him.

"Gentlemen, I'm going to be frank," he begins. "I've got two problems. Two problems that I want gone as soon as possible. My men that I already have on the payroll have failed to this point, which is why I called the two of you."

Fisk slides a pair of files to the men sitting across from him. Inside lay pictures and details on Spider-Man and the Green Goblin

"Two! Oh we can go on a double date!" the one said. "I like the guy in green's style. I call dibs on him."

Fisk merely rolls his eyes and continues, "Each target pays one and a half million."

"Sounds like a fair price to me, boss," the other says calmly as he gets up to leave. "Have the payment ready. I'll have them in by tomorrow."

​

"Well he's awfully confident isn't he?" the other mercenary says as he puts his feet up on Fisk's desk. "Remember! I called dibs! Hey...how much do you weigh? You've gotta be pushing 400. I mean seriously you're just...wow."

Fisk merely glares at the man, "Okay...well I better get going. I've got places to be, people to kill...Seriously though you're really fat."

As the Merc with a Mouth walks out of his office, Fisk mutters, "I really hate him."
​

 

[Optikal]

​

The coffee at Smokey Joes was some of the best he'd ever tasted. Logan swallowed the last of his latest cup and slid it away from his newspaper. The front cover was a debate from the government suits on what to do about the rising activity of the Meta-Human and Mutant populations. Logan flipped through it with a grunt.

With his hat low over his dark eyes he nodded to the middle aged waitress across the counter. "Fell 'er up please Daisy?" he growled, nodding towards his empty cup.

"Sure thing Hun'" she replied, her thick New York accent drawling out past a well chewed piece of gum.

The door bell jingled as a new patron entered. Logan sniffed the air, catching the scent. Old Spice and poached eggs. Nice.

Before Logan could turn around the newcomer had taken the stool next to him. "How's the pie in this joint?" he asked.

Logan turned and eyeballed the newcomer. "Do I know you bub?"

"No you don't" the man smiled. "But my name is Rick Flag. I'm here about the growing problem of your kind".

Logan rounded on the man, his fists clenching. "My kind?!" he snarled, "What the hell do you know about 'my kind'?"

Flag glared into the feral mutants eyes and saw the menace there. He took a calming breath and fixed his smile back in place. "Well. I know that there are a whole bunch of humans out there scared witless at you the surge in Meta-Humans and Mutants. They're scared that their home will be the next to be blown to bits or their kids that're caught in the next super-powered punch-up".

He took a breath and nodded to Daisy for a cup of coffee before continuing. "I also know that there are more than enough people out there willing to use that fear and twist it into something far more dangerous. The people I work for have become aware of a terrorist splinter cell calling themselves the 'Friends of Humanity'. They're well armed, well versed in combat and gee'd up for one hell of a fight. However, whilst they're still underground, our intel is telling us that they'll be ready to make a move soon and you can gaurantee that there'll be blood on the streets when they do-".

Logan sighed and dragged a fresh steaming brew towards him. "And let me guess, you want me to do something about it?"

Flag grinned and reached into his coat pocket. "Not just you, Logan. I want you to assemble a team. Black Ops. Of course, should anything happen then my office and I will deny any acknowledgment..."

"Yeah". Logan growled. "The usual sack of Bull. Let us do your dirty work and then let us take the fall for it. I've heard it all before".

"Well then you'll know the score" Flag muttered off-handedly. He pushed a file towards the mutant. "Here's a list of the guys we've got earmarked".

Logan flicked the file open and scanned the images. "Coldcast. Katana. Bolt. Sounds interesting".

"We're assuming you'll have a friend or two in mind for the job?"

Logan swallowed his coffee and dropped some notes on the counter. "Oh yeah bub, I've got a couple of people in mind".

 

[Catman_prb]

The jet cruised into the secluded hanger bay, touching down gently onto the steel floor.

"Home, sweet home", Scott said as he opened the landing ramp and stood up from his seat.
"Ororo, Remy, Eve, Laura...welcome to the Xavier Institute."

Jamie staggered down the X-Jet's ramp, Laura's bags thrown over his shoulder.

"Dude!" Bobby called out, grabbing him in a one armed hug "You've been gone like, forever!"

"Certainly feels like it, mate," Jamie said, grinning "This is Laura,"

"Hey," Laura said, waving awkwardly.

"Why hello there," Bobby said, a grin spreading across his face. Jamie slapped his best friend around the back of the head.

"No! Bad Bobby! No biscuit!" he said. Laura giggled and Bobby glared.

"Anyway, the hot African babe is Ororo, the cajun dude is Remy and the goth chick is Eve. Guys, this is Bobby," he said.

"Hey Jamie," Jubilee said as she walked into the hanger.

"And who's this?" Laura asked brightly. Jubilee wrapped her arms around Jamie's neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. A few seconds later his head came up with an audible pop.

"This is Jubilee...my girlfriend,"

 

[Optikal]

"So how long do you reckon this is going to take?" Rhodes asked as the doctors wheeled him towards the operating room.

"It depends on how well your body responds Mr Rhodes. Tony Stark has the finest technology in the western world so I don't imagine there'll be too many problems".

Rhodes swallowed and rested his head back. In his wildest dreams he wouldn't have imagined that one day he'd be strolling around with cybernetic limbs. "Well do your work good Doc, I want to walk out of this place more like the terminator and less like C-3PO!"

The doctor cracked a small laugh. "Don't Worry James, you'll be looked after by the very best. I assure you, everything will be fine".

 

[Carnage27]

Jamie staggered down the X-Jet's ramp, Laura's bags thrown over his shoulder.

"Dude!" Bobby called out, grabbing him in a one armed hug "You've been gone like, forever!"

"Certainly feels like it, mate," Jamie said, grinning "This is Laura,"

"Hey," Laura said, waving awkwardly.

"Why hello there," Bobby said, a grin spreading across his face. Jamie slapped his best friend around the back of the head.

"No! Bad Bobby! No biscuit!" he said. Laura giggled and Bobby glared.

"Anyway, the hot African babe is Ororo, the cajun dude is Remy and the goth chick is Eve. Guys, this is Bobby," he said.

"Hey Jamie," Jubilee said as she walked into the hanger.

"And who's this?" Laura asked brightly. Jubilee wrapped her arms around Jamie's neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. A few seconds later his head came up with an audible pop.

"This is Jubilee...my girlfriend,"

I walk up and felt like I had just walked in on my roommate...well you know.

"Veeelllllll...zhis is awkward," I say with a small smile on my face. "Come on guys, I'll show you zhe rest of the place."

Scott, Jean, Storm, Gambit, Nightshade, and Ice Man follow, leaving Jamie and his women alone.

"Dude...who's the hot chick with Jamie?"

Typical Bobby, "No, Bobby. He's had a crush on her forever."

"Yea, but he's got a girlfr-"

"No, Bobby."

We walk the new recruits up to Professor Xavier's office, and knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Professor," I say quietly, "ve're back."

"So you are, Kurt," he says with a wide smile on his face. "Scott, I'd like your report now please. And I'd like you to introduce me to our new friends."

 

[Catman_prb]

I walk up and felt like I had just walked in on my roommate...well you know.

"Veeelllllll...zhis is awkward," I say with a small smile on my face. "Come on guys, I'll show you zhe rest of the place."

Scott, Jean, Storm, Gambit, Nightshade, and Ice Man follow, leaving Jamie and his women alone.

"Dude...who's the hot chick with Jamie?"

Typical Bobby, "No, Bobby. He's had a crush on her forever."

"Yea, but he's got a girlfr-"

"No, Bobby."

We walk the new recruits up to Professor Xavier's office, and knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Professor," I say quietly, "ve're back."

"So you are, Kurt," he says with a wide smile on his face. "Scott, I'd like your report now please. And I'd like you to introduce me to our new friends."

Jamie slid into the room looking very red in the face. He glared at Kurt.

"How could you leave me there you bastard," he hissed venomously.

Professor Xavier was looking at him pointedly.

"Hey Professor," he said awkwardly.

"Ah, to be young and in love again," the Professor said wryly.

"Er, yeah, Jubilee's just showing Laura to her room now,"

"Oh you poor fool,"

"What?"

"Women talk,"

Jamie's eyes went wide and the colour drained from his face.

 

[Karem-Knight]

Oval Office

The President sat on his seat looking over the documents and updates on what now was becoming a massive international crisis, a secret one at that. Luthor had been making sure the situation at Kahndaq was all but kept in secret and that the American media would hear nothing about this, worse yet of the secret plans that The Sentry attacked Black Adam's country under direct U.S. orders; this had become a massive ticking time bomb for Luthor and something he did not want to implode in his face any time on the near future. Luthor's Presidential telephone then rang from a phone call he was expecting any time soon.

"Hello, Mr. President this is General Ross speaking."

"Hello, General. What is the update on the Kahndaq situation? Have the Avengers been notified?"

"Yes sir, Hawkeye has informed us of their plan to attack Kahndaq- however Thor wishes to negotiate the situation with Black Adam himself. He believes the two of them share a "bond" so to speak/"

Luthor rubbed his eyes on the sound of the news, wanting the situation avoided and averted as quickly as possible. These "negotiations" would halt the crisis further and making things worse; sighing he knew that the Norse God was a powerful ally that he did not want to lose by ordering him and unlike the other Avengers he was not an American Citizen and had now obligation to Luthor. If only Asgard was under United States jurastiction.

"Very well, that is fine by me- as long as The Avengers know that this won't end in a very peaceful way. Any news on Miss Waller's current location?"

"Miss Waller will be flying in to the White House any moment now, sir."

"Okay then. Inform me of any other updates on this, General."

"Mr. President- before I leave, can I just ask....if The Avengers fail...and it's a big if- do you have a back up plan?"

Luthor smirked, The Avengers- as powerful as they are were still under the influence of "heroism" a flawed ideology in Lex's eyes and only had ideals to protect and short term solutions to mankind's problems. But Lex had something else up his sleeve that would be help him and the United States from any of these "God like" threats from taking over.

"Believe me, General...I do. I do indeed."

 

[Carnage27]

Another long night before school has me dragging. But I wasn't fighting Gobby last night. Heck, all I had to do was take down Shocker. And talk to Johnny, who agreed to join the new teen team...I'm gonna need a better name. On top of that, I was fighting with my long distance girlfriend yet again.


I groggily walk down the school hallway and begin entering my locker combo when I feel a tap on my shoulder, "Hey, Pete."

I turn to find Gwen standing there, tears streaming down her face. Instantly my mind starts racing. Something happened to Harry. What if I was too late before seeing Mr. Osbourn. What if Harry overdosed.

Focus, Pete.

"Gwen," I whisper and put my hand on her shoulder, "what's wrong?"

"*Sniff*...Harry...dumped me," she blurts out.

"What? Why? I'm sorry," I reply sympathetically. Harry must really be off his rocker if he dumped Gwen. He was crazy about her before.

She rubs the tears from her eyes, and looks directly into mine, "I don't think I'm sad that it's over. He's not the guy he was when this started. I'm just upset that I didn't help him with his problem before it was ended."

She pulls me in and gives me a hug, which gives me such a bad case of butterflies in my stomach I nearly puke. I never realized how strongly I've felt about this girl. My walls were built up since she was Harry's girl, but now...No. She needs me to be a friend, and that's what I'll be.

"I kinda don't want to be by myself today. Could we grab coffee or something after school?" she asks through the final sniffs of her tears.

"Ummm...yea, yea sure. That shouldn't be a problem. Why wouldn't it be a problem. Yea. Sure. See ya later."

She laughs,"Okay. I'll see you later."

"Bye. See later! Can't wait!"

This is going to be a problem.
​

 

[Johnny Blaze]

I walk up and felt like I had just walked in on my roommate...well you know.

"Veeelllllll...zhis is awkward," I say with a small smile on my face. "Come on guys, I'll show you zhe rest of the place."

Scott, Jean, Storm, Gambit, Nightshade, and Ice Man follow, leaving Jamie and his women alone.

"Dude...who's the hot chick with Jamie?"

Typical Bobby, "No, Bobby. He's had a crush on her forever."

"Yea, but he's got a girlfr-"

"No, Bobby."

We walk the new recruits up to Professor Xavier's office, and knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Professor," I say quietly, "ve're back."

"So you are, Kurt," he says with a wide smile on his face. "Scott, I'd like your report now please. And I'd like you to introduce me to our new friends."

"The mission has been a partial success, so far, sir", Scott began as he stood up straight in front of the Professor's desk.

"So I see", Xavier replied as he looked at each of the new faces standing in his office.

"I'd like you to meet Ororo Munroe, Remy Lebaau, and Eve Eden."

"A pleasure to meet you all", the Professor smiled warmly.
"I look forward to spending time with each of you here at the Institute, were you will learn to not only command your gifts, but your mind as well."

"Forgive me though, my students, but I must speak with Scott, Jean, Kurt, and Jamie alone. Bobby, please show our new students to their rooms."

As the group said their goodbyes, Xavier waited patiently until they were all alone before taking on a more serious posture.

"I understand you had some problems?"

"Yes, sir", Scott nodded.
"The first incident took place when we tried to recruit Selinda and Baron. It's the Brotherhood, Professor. They're back. Mystique seems to be running things now, and she's already has help with Pyro and some unknown mutant that can control darkness. Selinda and Baron have joined up with them."

"This is most concerning news", Xavier frowned.

"Do you think...Magneto could somehow be behind this, Professor?"

"I don't know, Jean. But it would not surprise me if Erik is still alive."

"Now", the Professor said after a brief, uncomfortable silence.
"Moira told me about the incident at Muir. What exactly happened?"

 

[Catman_prb]

"I understand you had some problems?"

"Yes, sir", Scott nodded.
"The first incident took place when we tried to recruit Selinda and Baron. It's the Brotherhood, Professor. They're back. Mystique seems to be running things now, and she's already has help with Pyro and some unknown mutant that can control darkness. Selinda and Baron have joined up with them."

"This is most concerning news", Xavier frowned.

"Do you think...Magneto could somehow be behind this, Professor?"

"I don't know, Jean. But it would not surprise me if Erik is still alive."

"Now", the Professor said after a brief, uncomfortable silence.
"Moira told me about the incident at Muir. What exactly happened?"

"Kevin, that is my adopted brother, took what I think was some kind of research project of Moira's and turned into a big glowing orange monster," Jamie said.

"Seemed like a tragic mistake to me," Jean said.

"Bull-****. That thing talked to me and it said that Moira talked to it. She told him some stuff about the future of mutant kind. Anyway, after killing my brother and my adopted father, it jumped into one of my dupes so I stabbed me - it in the chest and chucked it in the ocean. As you do," Jamie said.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"I'm sorry, James, for your loss. It must have been a painful thing to endure", Xavier offered his condolences.

The Professor sat back in his chair and paused as he appeared in deep thought.

"I will have to talk with Moira about this "future" she's working on. Find out exactly what it is she's doing there if it has the potential to create monsters."

"You should all take some time to rest and recuperate from your ordeals."

"Thanks, Professor", Scott shook his head, "but I'd like to head out as soon as possible. Get back to finishing this mission."

"Very well, Scott", the Professor nodded.
"But I insist that you at least wait until morning. A night's sleep in your own beds will do you all a world of good."

"Sure thing, sir."

"Now, if there's nothing else to report", Xavier smiled, "go. Relax and get some rest."

Shutting the door to Xavier's office behind him, Scott exhaled slowly. He was definitely tired, could use a shower, and was positively starving.

"I think I'm going to go to the cafeteria and get something to eat", he said to the group.

"First thing for me is a nice, hot shower", Jean said, with a smile to Scott.

"See you boys later", Jean said as she walked off.

 

[Catman_prb]

"But I insist that you at least wait until morning. A night's sleep in your own beds will do you all a world of good."

"Sure thing, sir."

"Now, if there's nothing else to report", Xavier smiled, "go. Relax and get some rest."

Shutting the door to Xavier's office behind him, Scott exhaled slowly. He was definitely tired, could use a shower, and was positively starving.

"I think I'm going to go to the cafeteria and get something to eat", he said to the group.

"First thing for me is a nice, hot shower", Jean said, with a smile to Scott.

"See you boys later", Jean said as she walked off.

"If that's not an invitation, my red eyed friend, I dunno what is," Jamie said. The leader of the X-Men raised an eyebrow skeptically "Oh come on, a hot red head that can read minds and she tells you that she's going for a shower. Like she isn't fishing for the perverted thoughts flittering around at the back of your mind,"

"Hey guys," Bobby said, walking past the three X-Men towards Xavier's office.

"Where you headed man?"

"Apparantly the Professor's got some special assignment for me. I think Jubilee's looking for you Jamie,"

"Excuse me lads, I'm going to go and spend the night in someone elses bed,"

 

[Carnage27]

"If that's not an invitation, my red eyed friend, I dunno what is," Jamie said. The leader of the X-Men raised an eyebrow skeptically "Oh come on, a hot red head that can read minds and she tells you that she's going for a shower. Like she isn't fishing for the perverted thoughts flittering around at the back of your mind,"

"Hey guys," Bobby said, walking past the three X-Men towards Xavier's office.

"Where you headed man?"

"Apparantly the Professor's got some special assignment for me. I think Jubilee's looking for you Jamie,"

"Excuse me lads, I'm going to go and spend the night in someone elses bed,"

"Have fun vith your incredibly awkward situation Jamie," I say as Multiple Man walks away.

I look over to Scott, "Sometimes I'm happy girls don't like boys vith fur. Anyway, I need to speak with zhe professor privately for a second. Make sure you tell me when we are leaving."

I walk back to the professor's office and push the door open, which sends Bobby's head whipping around to see who it is, "Oh hey, Kurt."

"Kurt, is there something you need? I was just letting Bobby know of an amazing opportunity that has been presented to us."

"Yea! Spider-Man is putting together an all teen hero team and the professor wants me to be on it!" Bobby's excitement is enough to knock me out.

"That's great, Bobby. I vas hoping to speak to zhe professor though."

"Sure, meet me in the caf later!" he says as he runs out the room.

"Kurt, you seem troubled, what's wrong?"

I sit in the chair in front of Xavier's desk and think back to the other day and the fight against the Brotherhood. I was drawn to Mystique the minute I saw her. And such a strong attraction could not be mere coincidence.

"Professor...is Mystique my muzher?" I finally blurt out.

He sighes and wheels his chair to a window and peers outside.

"Yes, Kurt, she is. I hoped you would not come up against her, or that you would not figure it out. But I sometimes forget how smart you truly are. She is your mother, and she abandoned you after birth, where you were found by your circus family."

The room starts to spin around me. My mother, my own flesh and blood is the very evil I've sent out to bring to justice. The very enemy we seek to destroy. Nausea hits me like a Mac truck, and I stand to leave.

"Professor...I have things to think about."

 

[Keyser Soze]

The small conference room erupted in a bright green glow as Kyle Rayner made his way in, his emerald aura dying down as he noticed the debate. "Sorry I'm late." he said, before taking his seat.

"Lantern." Pym nodded towards Kyle before turning back to Thor. "Thor, Waller and SHIELD are adamant about stopping Black Adam now, before it gets worse. In the past he's shown a complete disregard for negotiations." Hank shook his head.

"With all due respect to Amanda Waller, I don't think those who have tried and failed to negotiate with this man have been Gods who share a personal history with him." Wonder Woman said confidently.

"I'm all for chargin' in, guns blazin', you know what I mean?." Hawkeye spoke with his dismissive demeanor, leaning on the far wall. "I've seen these kind of guys before. Powers or no powers, they're all the same. Try and negotiate with them and they lop off your arm. Only way to deal with this is to cut the head off the snake." he nodded.

"Granted, I was late and don't really know what's going on but I'd prefer no head-cutting." Kyle raised his hand and looked to his teammates, looking for explanation.

"Listen, Thor...if you really think you can talk to Adam...get him to see that what was done was necessary...then perhaps we can avoid any bloodshed." Hank pondered aloud, turning to look at the massive army of metahumans Black Adam was assembling as they spoke. "Alright." he finally decided. "We'll go into Kahndaq and let Thor speak to Adam. But we'll have to be prepared for the worst and. The Avengers will stand by outside of Kahndaq, and at the first sign of trouble, Thor..." Hank looked at Thor, making sure an understanding had been reached.

Thor knew exactly what Pym's implication was in this silence. He offered a slow, deliberate nod in response.

 

[Byrd Man]

He stares at me blankly.

"They bring a knife you bring a gun," I say in an awful Scottish accent, "They sent one of ours to the hospital you send one of theirs to the morgue."

Still he stares at me blankly.

"What I mean is, with all these folks with superpowers coming out the woodwork, people like me putting on suits of armor with the power of a walking nuke to fight crime.... are we encouraging the bad guys to respond in kind? And are scenes like this... or worse... what we end up with?"

"Things have surely changed since the 40's."

I look around at the destruction with a bit of sadness in my eyes.

"The game has changed."

"The game is still the same." Iron Man corrects me.

"It's just gotten more fierce."

I collect my shield off the ground and dust it off.

"I think we should head back to America, Tony. If I'm going to feel unwanted and out of place, I'd rather do it in my own country."

 

[Keyser Soze]

"Things have surely changed since the 40's."

I look around at the destruction with a bit of sadness in my eyes.

"The game has changed."

"The game is still the same." Iron Man corrects me.

"It's just gotten more fierce."

I collect my shield off the ground and dust it off.

"I think we should head back to America, Tony. If I'm going to feel unwanted and out of place, I'd rather do it in my own country."

Steve nods solemnly at my words of wisdom. Clearly, they connected with him on a deep, emotional level. I think he really appreciates that his friend would come with a piece of simple philosophy like that to try and help him understand his situation.

I took that line from The Wire, by the way.

"A good ol' greasy American cheeseburger sounds pretty good right about now."

And a drink. I could use one of those too. I put my helmet back on.

"C'mon, I'll give you a piggyback ride back to our jet."

 

[Byrd Man]

"A good ol' greasy American cheeseburger sounds pretty good right about now."

And a drink. I could use one of those too. I put my helmet back on.

"C'mon, I'll give you a piggyback ride back to our jet."

In just a few short hours we're back in New York. I'm back in my plain clothes, my uniform in the gym bag slung over my shoulder.

"Thanks for the ride back, Tony. I think I'm going to head home for awhile. I need to do some....what is it they call it now days? 'Reflecting'?. Yeah, I need to do some of that."