One Universe: Season IV IC Thread

[Byrd Man]

​

After making sure the lady with electrical powers is safely behind bars, I head up North to the place that's been dubbed the "Fortress of Solitude".

I guess it's appropriate, seeing as how I often come up here to clear my head and think.

"Do you require any assitance, Kal-El?" The metallic Superman robot asks in its constantly cheerful voice as I walk in from the Artic cold.

"No thanks, just make sure the zoo is tended to."

The zoo.

In the year that Mr. Fantastic help me build this place, I've managed to collect close to a hundred or so different alien species from all across the galaxy. Like me, all of them are the last of their kind.....scratch that, they're the last of their kind but I am not.

It's been a week or so since I talked with Spider-Man and charged with his task. My gut tells me that he's going to go to Kara with an offer. As much as I'd like to stop her, I can't.

While the robot clanks off towards the zoo, I walk past all the Kryptonian equipment I'm not sure how to use and towards a set of television that have been installed to show news from around the world.

Captain America and Iron Man are fighting a man called Captain Nazi in Europe. They really don't seem to need my help on that front.

According to the TV, tensions are growing between the US and the leader of Khandaq. He's a meta-human, powered by magic. Calls himself Black Adam. Luthor would be a fool to goad Adam into a fight, but I'm afraid Luthor is like a little kid with a stick that likes to poke a sleeping bear.

"Clark, I know you can hear me. I'm down in New York and I need your help with something."

I stop in my tracks. His words come out like a whisper, but Reed Richards is able to relay his message thousands of miles North here to the Artic.

The doors of the Fortress shake momentarily as I disappear.​

 

[wiegeabo]

Twin batarangs appear from the flames and strike the robot in the chest, but it continues to bathe me in fire. The cape shields me, the suit protects me from the worst of the heat, but I won't be able to breathe soon.

I do a forward roll under the legs of one thug as he tries to make a grab for me, making him fall to the ground. I leap into the air and glide down on top of him, digging my heels into the back of his head. I smell the fire before I see it and spin around on the spot, to see Bruce surrounded by fire. Instinctively I throw two batarangs from my belt that hit into the nozzles attached to the arms of the robot Mysterio.

"I can handle the robot!" I yell out as I throw myself at the robot, spinning mid-air.

The blissfully cool night air reaches me and I inhale gratefully. I watch as Robin tackles the robot, the two henchmen on the ground, down for the count. I stand to help Robin, but he waves me off.

As I knock into the machine it throws an arm into me, knocking me sideways. As I stagger up to have another go, I notice movement behind the flames that surround Bruce and the back door.

"There are people inside," I call to Bruce as I barge into the machine again.

I nod in agreement. I said he could be in charge tonight, so it's his call. I put the full force of my weight into the kick and the door bursts open.

"It's the Bat!!!" Gunfire erupts and people scream as the smoke-filled doorway is chewed apart by the bullets.

"Did we get him? Did we hit him?"

"No." The gunmen shouts as I lift him to the ceiling, smashing my head head into his nose, and dropping his limp body onto his partner. The other one tries to push the dead weight his partner off, but has no luck. I land on the floor and step on his wrist, forcing him to drop his rifle.

"Where's Mysterio?" I growl. The terror in his eyes is satisfying. He tries to mutter an answer.

"I'm here, Batman. Prepare to meet your demise!!!" In a purple puff of smoke, Mysterio appears between me and the hostages from seeming nothingness. He holds some kind of weapon, aiming it right at my chest.

"Nice trick."

"It is no trick...it is mag-!"

I kick the gun free and punch him in the face, shattering the globe. He drops like a rock.

"Sure it is."

I look at the hostages. They actually seem more scared of me than they were of Mysterio and his men. Sometimes being a symbol of fear has its downside. I point at the entrance. "Go. Now!"

There's screams and shouts as they run for their freedom. I can see the red and blue lights of police cars out the front of the bank, can hear the sounds of the officers as they order the civilians to the ground.

By the time they enter the bank, guns drawn, all they see is Mysterio and his men tied together.

 

[wiegeabo]

"Nothing. I've gone through their files, checking all the usual spots for the Rogues, but nothing. I tried where they go by themselves, but still nothing. They didn't leave a trace."

I let out a sigh and lean against the wall, rubbing the back of my head.

"We'll have to wait till they try something again."

Waiting wasn't exactly easy for somebody with enhanced speed, so the very thought of having to wait it out wasn't exactly appealing.

"What did you want to talk about then?"

"Not here. Let's talk over a slice."

A few minutes later we're in Wally's apartment, five empty pizza boxes on the table, and a sixth halfway there. I lean over and slap two more pieces on my plate as Wally opens another soda.

"So you saw us on tv, huh?" He drains half the can.

I swallow my bite. "You were kind of hard to miss," I say with a grin. "So, these Avengers...why them? Why not the League?"

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Hank Pym
Avenger

2 hours after the briefing, the Avengers were on their way to Kahndaq. Most, if not all, of them were fully aware of the gravity of the situation and sincerely hoped it wouldn't escalate any more.

Almost all, that is. "So if Thor can't sweet-talk Adam into being a good little boy, we get to lay some power down on him, right?" Hawkeye asked hopefully.

The Avengers' Quinjet rested peacefully just outside the Kahndaqi border, it's cloaking technology (created by Reed Richards during his time with SHIELD) kept any onlookers away. The inside matched the out; sleek, metallic, and intimidating.

"It won't come to that." Wonder Woman stated, her confidence in Thor evident. "Believe me."

Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern, smiled at the Amazon Warrior. Her presence had a soothing effect on him; something he desperately needed as his ring materialized his worries in the form of rapid sparks.

Barton merely chuckled, twirling a single arrow in his hand. "I wouldn't be so sure, Princess." he smirked.

"Let's just give Thor a chance and see what happens." Hank nodded, doubts replacing hope with every second that passed without Thor reporting back.

"Vision.." Pym turned to his android, which stood silently at the back of the Jet. "If it comes to battle, can I count on you to shut down all Kahndaqi communications?"
​

 

[Catman_prb]

"Vision.." Pym turned to his android, which stood silently at the back of the Jet. "If it comes to battle, can I count on you to shut down all Kahndaqi communications?"​

Vision blinked as he searched a variety of databases.

"I'm almost certain that I can shut Khandaq off from the outside world if the need arises. But I warn you that that violates hundreds of international laws,"

 

[Red_Robin77]

"Not here. Let's talk over a slice."

A few minutes later we're in Wally's apartment, five empty pizza boxes on the table, and a sixth halfway there. I lean over and slap two more pieces on my plate as Wally opens another soda.

"So you saw us on tv, huh?" He drains half the can.

I swallow my bite. "You were kind of hard to miss," I say with a grin. "So, these Avengers...why them? Why not the League?"

"Do you guys seriously need another Flash on the team?" I ask with a smile as I down the remaining half of the can.

I chuck the empty can in the direction of the bin, hitting the rim and bouncing down into it. I lean back in my chair comfortably, two feet off the floor.

"It was an offer I was interested in, so I went for it."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Vision blinked as he searched a variety of databases.

"I'm almost certain that I can shut Khandaq off from the outside world if the need arises. But I warn you that that violates hundreds of international laws,"

For a moment Hank sincerely regrets programming Vision with the entire database of U.N. Guidelines and International Laws. "We're the Avengers, Vision." Hank smiled. "I think we'll get away with bending a few rules to prevent World War III."

Had he really just said that? Hank almost vomited in his mouth, disgusted with himself. But this was an extraordinary circumstance. This was the only way. He was sure of it.

"Alright, the Flash is busy back in the States, but he'll be here soon. Everyone be ready to go if Thor calls us in." Hank nodded.

Green Lantern checked the charge on his ring for the fourth time since they landed. Wonder Woman fastened her bracelets. Janet Pym, the Wasp, practiced with her Stings, shooting a few well aimed ones out the window. Hawkeye silently placed steel tipped arrows into his quiver. The Vision stood motionless, staring off into the distance with an expressionless face and cold eyes.

And so did Hank.

This was going to get a lot worse before it got better.

 

[Carnage27]

​

Well...this has been a day to remember. My best friends girlfriend, well now ex-girlfriend, comes to me for solace and a coffee date, and then when I go to see how the aforementioned best is doing, he's no where to be found. Terrific.

Now I'm swinging through the night sky, and my brain is going a million miles an hour.

Teenagers weren't meant to deal with this. They weren't meant to fight crime, lead a double life, and have basically everyone they love mad at them. They weren't meant to stand side by side with gods like Superman and The Flash. They weren't meant to have their girlfriends kidnapped.

Sometimes I wonder if being Spider-Man is really worth it.

And then I think of Uncle Ben, and everything he taught me. I was given a great opportunity to help those that cannot help themselves. To stand up for the meek, and protect the innocent. And that, is much more important than anything else.

I land on a high rise, and survey the city. My city. And I hope Gobby come calling tonight. Because it's time I made good on my promise. It's time that I take him and the Kingpin down.

"You hear me, Goblin? You hear me, Kingpin? This is my city. And the quicker you're out of it...the better," I say to no one in particular.

 

[Matt Murdock]

​

"Ding-dong!"I cry, as the elevator stops at the top floor of the building. I waltz out, staring forward. "Anyone home?"

It's quite. Moreso than I'd like. In fact, in a perfect world, I'd like it best if there was a parade going on in the world around me so as to match the one constantly flowing through my head.

​

"Joker."

His voice is quiet.

"What?" I ask, flinging my arms out, "I don't get a, 'hello?' A 'how ya doin', J, old buddy?'"
I flop into one of the elaborate armchairs in his office. To any of his guards, this must be an odd sight to see. The two of us, Two Face and the Joker, sitting across from each other. We're both wearing similar outfits, suits that match our personalities, have faces that stick out from the crowd, and grins to beat the band. And, yet, we're so staunchly different. Whether Harvey realizes it or not, though, we're more similar than he'd like to admit. He may think he's trying to get rid of corruption and crime, but two wrongs don't make a right. Everybody knows that. We've got the same destination, but we're on different roads.

"No pleasantries, then?" I ask, "Well I can't say I blame you, Two-fy. I wasn't exactly polite the last time we met. In fact, that's why I'm here. I'd like to apologize."

Even as district attorney, Harvey Dent had a hellofan ego. If I want to get anywhere with him, I have to play up to that.

"Speak." He growls.

"Believe it or not, I do feel bad for what happened at the bar." I say, gesturing towards the very elevator I entered the office in. Several of my men enter, arms up without guns, "So, I'd like to offer you the best men I've got. They're strong, capable, and all have great senses of humor."

"You can't be trusted." Dent says, removing his coin from his pocket.

"That's true, Harvey." I say, "But I'm not interested in you. You know that. I'm only interested in Batman, and, actually, that's why I'm here."

"The Bat?" Harvey asks, arching an eyebrow. Well... his only eyebrow.

"Surely you've thought out that the Big, Bad, Batman is going to get wind of what you've got in store here in this part of town. He'll figure you out, and, when he does, he'll come knocking on your big, pretty door." I squirm in my seat and shift uncomfortably, "He won't let you continue with the little carnival you've set up here, and he'll invade your big top."

I stand up and place a hand on my chest, "I just want to stop that from happening."

"And you want Batman for yourself."

"I do."

He thinks about what I've said and waves his guards, and mine, out, leaving us alone.

"I do this, and you won't interfere with what I'm doing?" He asks.

"Scout's honor."

"I want the rest of your guards to be transferred to my employment." Harvey says, finally conceding. "I want fifty-thousand dollars as a buy-in for you to become a part of my organization. And, then, anything you do..."

The chair groans as he pushes himself up. He's got a formidable frame, and a monstrous face. I nod as he does so, accepting the terms of the agreement. I'm sure that, in this offer, Harvey sees an opportunity. He wants to figure out what I'm up to, what I'm doing with myself. And, once he knows, and once he thinks he can stop me...

"You answer to me."

He'll kill me.

"You got it, Boss-Man."

Ain't that a laugh?

I leave his office. We don't shake hands, we don't thank each other. Men of our caliber and stature don't need to. Instead, I simply enter the elevator, and exit the building, walking down the street.
​

 

[Matt Murdock]

​

Well...this has been a day to remember. My best friends girlfriend, well now
I land on a high rise, and survey the city. My city. And I hope Gobby come calling tonight. Because it's time I made good on my promise. It's time that I take him and the Kingpin down.

"You hear me, Goblin? You hear me, Kingpin? This is my city. And the quicker you're out of it...the better," I say to no one in particular.

• DEADPOOL •

Wade Wilson pulled himself up a ladder, directly behind Spider-Man. If he wasn't so interested in putting on a good show, all he'd have to do was leap onto his unsuspecting prey. Finishing the job would be easy. Spider-Man was a lanky, speedy little thing. He wasn't exactly the stuff formidable opponents were made of.

"You hear me, Goblin? You hear me, Kingpin? This is my city. And the quicker you're out of it...the better."

Spider-Man's words struck a chord with Deadpool. Not the emotional chord, though. More the sort of chord that simply made Deadpool's mouth fall open slightly, with a raised eyebrow and squinting eye. It was the sort of look people make when someone around them has said something incredibly awkward or disconcerting.

"You tell 'em, Spider-Man." The Merc with a Mouth said sarcastically.

Spider-Man's head shot up, surprising the mercenary.

"Who are you?" Spider-Man asked, backflipping and spinning in midair to face the newcomer.

"Okay, one: is the spinning, leaping, and twirling really necessary?" Deadpool asked, holding his hands out,"We're grown-ups, here. This is a building, not a jungle-gym."

He leaned backwards, against a radio-tower, and crossed his arms.

"Two: I'm not sure if we've met in this continuity. I don't really keep up." Spider-Man, at this point, made the very same look Deadpool had only a moment before, "My name is Wade Wilson. I'm a snappy dresser, a convenient plot device, and have a face that looks like hamburger pizza."

Deadpool turned around and began walking away.

"Oh! I almost forgot." He cried, waving a finger in the air. "Wilson Fisk sent me to kill you."

The pair stared at each other for a few seconds before Wilson spoke again.

"This is the part where, like, one of us does something."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Do you guys seriously need another Flash on the team?" I ask with a smile as I down the remaining half of the can.

I chuck the empty can in the direction of the bin, hitting the rim and bouncing down into it. I lean back in my chair comfortably, two feet off the floor.

"It was an offer I was interested in, so I went for it."

I put my plate down and wipe my hands clean. "So, that's it? They made an offer? What kind of offer could get you to work for the government?" Wally gives me an unsure look.

"I'm sorry, Wally. I don't want to sound like I'm interrogating you. I'm really just curious. And a little concerned. You're a government agent now. What do you do if Luthor sends you on a mission you don't agree with? Are you willing to put aside what you believe in to carry out his policies?"

 

[SenseiofCheese]

"Oh! I almost forgot." He cried, waving a finger in the air. "Wilson Fisk sent me to kill you."

The pair stared at each other for a few seconds before Wilson spoke again.

"This is the part where, like, one of us does something."

Floyd Lawton had just set the sight of his sniper rifle on Spider-Man, ready to pull the trigger, when Wilson had made his grand entrance. It hadn't been easy tracking the wall crawler, but Lawton had to admit he had expected Deadpool to beat him to it.

Peering through the scope at his target and his competition, Deadshot thought to himself that this was the perfect opportunity to kill two flies with one stone. All he had to do was squeeze the trigger twice and he'd be considerably wealthy.

He could also watch the two fight and take out whoever was left standing.

 

[Carnage27]

​

"Oh! I almost forgot.[/color]" He cried, waving a finger in the air. "Wilson Fisk sent me to kill you."

The pair stared at each other for a few seconds before Wilson spoke again.

"This is the part where, like, one of us does something."

This guy has got to be kidding me, "First of all, buddy, I don't know if you know who you're dealing with, but banter and puns are my M.O. You keep this up, and I'll be forced to pursue legal action."

Deadpool draws two pistols and begins firing away. I quickly roll behind him, spring off my hands and drive my feet into the back of his head, sending his face scraping across the rooftop.

"You said your face looks like hamburger? Looks like it's ground beef now!

...

Wow, okay. That was bad."

I use the short time that Deadpool's down to get a strategy in place. I think i can take him down, but if not I doubt he'll be able to follow my web slinging.

Of course, I've been wrong about that before.

 

[Matt Murdock]

​

This guy has got to be kidding me, "First of all, buddy, I don't know if you know who you're dealing with, but banter and puns are my M.O. You keep this up, and I'll be forced to pursue legal action."

Deadpool draws two pistols and begins firing away. I quickly roll behind him, spring off my hands and drive my feet into the back of his head, sending his face scraping across the rooftop.

"You said your face looks like hamburger? Looks like it's ground beef now!

...

Wow, okay. That was bad."

I use the short time that Deadpool's down to get a strategy in place. I think i can take him down, but if not I doubt he'll be able to follow my web slinging.

Of course, I've been wrong about that before.

Blood dripped down Deadpool's lip as he pushed himself to his feet, staring at the teenager in front of him.

In a flash, he disappears, bewildering Spider-Man.

"Boo!" Deadpool cries, rematerializing behind his foe. He drove a boot into Spider-Man's back, and the latter flew forward, slamming into the brick wall of the building adjacent to the rooftop he had found the webbed wonder on.

"Ha-ha! Ha-ha! Ha-ha!" Deadpool said, mimicking the bully from The Simpsons as Spider-Man slumped to the ground. With his scrapes and bumps already healing, Deadpool was ready to kick things into high gear.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Scott sat on the couch in the mansion's spacious living room, relaxing as he stared at the gigantic plasma television. Piotr sat next to him, a puzzled look on his face.

"I am confused...is Charlie ******ed?"

Scott laughed, "Yes, you could say that."

"And Danny DeVito plays..."

"The brother and sister, Dennis and Dee's, father", Scott explained to Piotr.

"What are you boys watching?"

"Hello, Jean", Piotr smiled as Jean sat down on the couch next to Scott.

"Hi", Scott smiled sheepishly, unable to think of anything better to say.

"So, anybody going to answer my question?"

"The funniest show on TV", Scott replied.
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

"Oh, that's that one with DeVito, right", Jean smiles.

"It is."

"I've always wanted to check that show out", she says as she leans back to watch.

After a few minutes of silence, Jean shivers a bit and snuggles up next to Scott.
"Getting a bit cold in here."

"I think I'll be heading to bed", Piotr said as he stood up.

"Good night, comrades."

Scott was definitely feeling a bit nervous, not knowing what he should do. So he calmed himself and did the only thing he could think of. He put his arm around Jean and pulled her close.

Scott smiled as Jean rested her head on his shoulder as they both watched the show.

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

"Huh", Scott snapped up from his slumber. The morning sun was beginning to creep through the windows as he was still sitting on the couch. He was covered in a blanket and the TV was off, which meant he had passed out and Jean had taken care of him and turned the television off.

"God dammit", Scott sighed as he smacked his forehead with his palm and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Real smooth, Summers", he grumbled to himself as he stood up, cracked his neck and stretched.

Scott, please join me in the war room as soon as you are able.

All right, Cyclops replied to the telepathic words of Charles Xavier, I'm on my way, Professor.

Scott walked out of the living room and towards the elevator. Accessing a secret panel, Cyclops pressed a button and the elevator descended to the lower levels.

 

[Carnage27]

Blood dripped down Deadpool's lip as he pushed himself to his feet, staring at the teenager in front of him.

In a flash, he disappears, bewildering Spider-Man.

"Boo!" Deadpool cries, rematerializing behind his foe. He drove a boot into Spider-Man's back, and the latter flew forward, slamming into the brick wall of the building adjacent to the rooftop he had found the webbed wonder on.

"Ha-ha! Ha-ha! Ha-ha!" Deadpool said, mimicking the bully from The Simpsons as Spider-Man slumped to the ground. With his scrapes and bumps already healing, Deadpool was ready to kick things into high gear.

Terrific. The guy has a teleporter. Or is a teleporter. Gotta love mutants.

"*Cough* Whoa! Beam me up, Scotty!" I say as I run up the wall he just threw me into.

When I reach the top, I vault over him. He braces himself, ready for another kick. Instead, I shoot two weblines onto his shoulders and pull him up towards me, driving my knee into his sternum.

I keep it there as we fall towards the rooftop, and I hear the bones in his chest break as his back connects with the concrete, and can hear him gasping for breath as I get off of him.

"Sorry, buddy. I'll make sure an ambulance picks you up."

 

[Matt Murdock]

Terrific. The guy has a teleporter. Or is a teleporter. Gotta love mutants.

"*Cough* Whoa! Beam me up, Scotty!" I say as I run up the wall he just threw me into.

When I reach the top, I vault over him. He braces himself, ready for another kick. Instead, I shoot two weblines onto his shoulders and pull him up towards me, driving my knee into his sternum.

I keep it there as we fall towards the rooftop, and I hear the bones in his chest break as his back connects with the concrete, and can hear him gasping for breath as I get off of him.

"Sorry, buddy. I'll make sure an ambulance picks you up."

Wilson felt the fabric of his costume tear. The kid was strong, that much was true. But, Deadpool knew a rookie when he saw one, and the one thing that a rookie with as much strength had, no matter what the circumstance, was arrogance. That was something the assassin could use to his advantage.

"Wait!" Deadpool called, reaching out from the ground. He felt his chest healing as he spoke, but he did his best to sound like he was gargling blood.

Spider-Man took a few apprehensive steps forward.

"Fisk... Fisk has my kids." Deadpool stammered, luring his prey. "You gotta help."

Deadpool reached out towards the arachnid-themed hero, stretching as much as he could. He tried to push himself to his feet awkwardly, but only made it to a knee.

He stared at Spider-Man.

"Help."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

He stared at Spider-Man.

"Help."

"Oh, give me a break, Wilson."

The bang echoed down to the streets as the bullet slammed into the rooftop just inches away from where Deadpool was kneeling. Both Wilson and Spider-Man looked up in surprise as Lawton made his way down to where they stood.

"We all know no woman in her right mind would let you get close enough to her party zone for you to knock her up." he stated, taking one last drag off his cigarette before flicking it in Deadpool's direction. Lawton pulled his mask down to cover the exposed part of his face and took aim at both his targets. "Looks like we got ourselves the making for a hoe-down."

 

[Carnage27]

I'm wandering the Mansion grounds, still in a haze after what Professor X just told me.

Mystique, one of the leaders of the Brotherhood, is my mother.

Now what am I supposed to do. Before, I was fighting a faceless enemy. An enemy that meant nothing to me besides being an evil, destructive force. But now, now my own flesh and blood is their commander. She did abandon me...but why? What if she feels bad about it? What if it tears at her still?

And what if it doesn't?

I don't have much time to think before I get a telepathic message from the Professor, Kurt, I need you to meet the team and I in the war room.

Yes, Professor, I will be there shortly.

BAMF

I 'port to the basement and walk into the meeting, which is already getting underway.

"Vhat have I missed?"

 

[Carnage27]

"Wait!" Deadpool called, reaching out from the ground. He felt his chest healing as he spoke, but he did his best to sound like he was gargling blood.

Spider-Man took a few apprehensive steps forward.

"Fisk... Fisk has my kids." Deadpool stammered, luring his prey. "You gotta help."

Deadpool reached out towards the arachnid-themed hero, stretching as much as he could. He tried to push himself to his feet awkwardly, but only made it to a knee.

He stared at Spider-Man.

"Help."

I almost expect my spider-sense to go off. The guys seems genuine, but you can never tell with the mercs. He's probably just luring me in to stick a knife in my back.

But there's always a chance he's not.

I approach slowly ready to help him up, when my my spider-sense does go off. I flip out of the way as a bullet ricochets of the rooftop.

"We all know no woman in her right mind would let you get close enough to her party zone for you to knock her up." he stated, taking one last drag off his cigarette before flicking it in Deadpool's direction. Lawton pulled his mask down to cover the exposed part of his face and took aim at both his targets. "Looks like we got ourselves the making for a hoe-down."

I turn around to see yet another costumed merc, "Oh come on! Really? Do you guys really need costumes?"

The new comer fires again in my direction with his rifle, a shot which I barely escape. I literally feel the air ripple past my should as the bullet flies by.

"Wow, you're good. Most of the criminally insane, super villains, and your run of the mill bad guys don't come that close."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

"Wow, you're good. Most of the criminally insane, super villains, and your run of the mill bad guys don't come that close."

"And that was only a warning shot, Wall Crawler." Lawton's smile is visible underneath the cloth covering his face.

"Now." he drops the rifle to the roof with a loud clank, and raises both hands to point the pistols mounted on his wrists at each of his targets. "How do you want to play this one, Wade? I shoot you both and take the reward, or we split it like good little boys?"

 

[Catman_prb]

The grand staircase creaked as Jamie walked down, fresh from his shower, but still wearing last night's crumpled clothes. He stuck his head into the living room, where Laura was curled up on the sofa in a dressing gown watching the TV blankly.

"Morning," he said, leaning against the door frame.

"Hey," Laura said, not moving her head. Jamie rolled his eyes and sat down next to her on the sofa.

"You okay?" he asked quietly. She blinked and looked at him with teary eyes.

"I miss them all," she answered "Kevin, Sean, Moira..."

"You can call her up if you like," Jamie said "The Professor's okay about long distance calls and that,"

"No," Laura said firmly "What she did was...I still can't believe it,"

"Me either," Jamie said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. They sat there for a while, until Laura made a sniffing sound.

"You smell like that tart's boudoir," she said archly.

"She isn't a tart," Jamie said evenly.

"She is! You get off the plane and she's all over you like a bad rash,"

"That's because she's my girlfriend! Convention says, that she's allowed to!"

"You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend!"

"Well what were you expecting?"

"I dont know, I thought you and I could..."

"Could what?"

"I...never mind,"

"No, what Laura? I'm just dying to know!"

"I thought we could...you know,"

"Well we can't,"

"Why not?"

"Because life isn't that easy,"

Jamie slumped back on the sofa with a sigh, rubbing his forehead. There was an awkward silence for a few minutes.

"I got you those," he said, gesturing to the stripey socks Laura was wearing "For your birthday,"

"No you didnt," she said frowning "Kevin did,"

"Yeah I did! I wrapped them up and sent them back to Muir Island especially. I sent it to Kevin so that he'd give it to you for me...oh,"

"Yeah," she said "Oh,"

"Sorry," Jamie muttered.

"It's like you don't even care that they're gone,"

"How can you say that," Jamie said, his voice dangerously calm.

"I'm sitting here, feeling like my life's falling apart and you're walking around copping off with your girlfriend and making jokes and grinning and acting like nothing's happened and I just can't stand that," Laura sobbed.

"Kevin was my brother and Sean was my father," Jamie said coolly, standing up "Just because I choose to laugh and make jokes and deal with this my own way, does not mean that I don't miss them. I think it probably hasn't hit home yet or something, and I don't entirely care. So right now, I'm going to go join the team and go on a mission, cos there'll be time for breaking down later,"

***​

Jamie walked into the mission control room, rubbing his forehead and being generally aware that he looked shabby.

"What's up kids?"​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

"Straight outta Compton is a crazy mother****er named Ice Cube, from a game called N***** With Attitude."

"Could you please turn that **** off!" Johnny LaMonica moans as he parks the car outside the apartment building.

"Sorry, man." Max Dillon replies as the electricity dances off his fingertips.

"I always like listening to NWA before a job. Gets me pumped."

LaMonica rolls his eyes as he pulls out his automatic pistol.

"I thought Hallman said get rid of that thing."

"**** him, man. Ain't nobody taking my princess away from me, every job I go on I use her. She's done more men than Jenna Jameson."

"That's sick....come on and let's get to work."
​

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


​

At the Iceberg Lounge, the party is in full force as the patrons welcome the club's owner back home.

"Welcome back, Ozzie." Parker Robbins says to the short man as they shake hands. Oswald Cobblepot smiles and tips his top hat to the man.

"Thank you so much, my friend. Juries today, you just can't get them to convict."

Robbins grabs a glass of champagne and walks alongside Cobblepot as they navigate through the party.

"Since your time behind bars, I've been running my stuff through Mink. Since your back, I thought it would be best to talk to you on the matter."

"What can I do for you?" Cobblepot sqwaks as he pulls his cigarette holder out his mouth.

"I'm going to need a new shipment of girls. It's been about eight months, time to freshen up the club."

"Very well. I'll talk to my sources and Mink will be in touch."

Robbins tips the champage glass in Cobblepot's direction.

"To freedom." He says as he downs the drink in one swallow.


​

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


​

Just outside Two-Face's Monroe Street corner, a white van sits. Inside the van sit three disgruntled detectives.

"I'm getting tired of these sit and wait jobs." Driver says to Cole and Fields.

"Everytime Essen wants something, we're her do boys. I'm getting sick of it."

"What can you do, Marcus? Essen is a captain." Cole mutters as he rummages through a cold box of chinese food.

"I don't know about you, but I'm taking the sergeant exam next week. I get the stripes, I'm out of this unit. I love the work we're doing, but I sit in this van any longer I'm gonna go crazy."

"Please, you couldn't pass that test to save your life." Field chuckles.

"Excuse me? I could mop the floor with both of you."

"Like to see you try." Cole says through a mouthful of General Tso's Chicken.

"Okay, then. The three of us take that sergeant exam next week."

"Deal." Fields says with a smile.

"This is gonna be fun."


​

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

​

Crispus Allen lights another cigarette as he looks over the board with Bullock.

"That's a lot of names." He says as they look over the graph showing members of Two-Face's organization along with their assets.

"Drugs, muscle, prostitution, money laundering...damn."

"It's growing." Essen says as she enters the room.

"But a lot names on those list are not names yet. We know Two-Face is at the top, Robbins beneath him, and Tillman runs the drugs. From the wire we have on Robbins, we know that they have at least two muscle men, and a madam who runs a ****e house some where. More than likely, out of their strip club. They even have a money launderer, sounds asian. But we're not certain."

Bullock lets a low whistle escape his list.

"We're gonna nail his ass, alright."

​

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

​

With Max Dillon haning in the back, Johnny LaMonica creeps slowly through the dark apartment.

He sneaks across the hardwood floors and to the bedroom.

With his silenced gun in his right hand, he flips the light switch with the left.

"What the ****?!" A voice calls out as the voice's owner pulls off their covers.

"Jeff." LaMonica says as he levels the gun at Skeevers.

"Sorry it had to be like this."

LaMonica squeezes the trigger three times, hitting Jefferson Skeevers in the head, chest, and stomach.

"You mother****er...." Is all Skeevers mutters as his life slowly oozes out of him.

Walking outside the building he looks at Dillon, who smiles.

"We're coming straight outta Compton!"​

 

[Matt Murdock]

"And that was only a warning shot, Wall Crawler." Lawton's smile is visible underneath the cloth covering his face.

"Now." he drops the rifle to the roof with a loud clank, and raises both hands to point the pistols mounted on his wrists at each of his targets. "How do you want to play this one, Wade? I shoot you both and take the reward, or we split it like good little boys?"

Wilson rolls backwards, springing up onto his feet and stares at the too men for a moment. It's a question he genuinely doesn't know the answer to.

"Yee-haw, Mother****er." Deadpool said angrily. He teleported behind the gunslinger first, driving a fist hard into the back of his head.

He appeared then right next to Spider-Man who, out of instinct, bolted in the other direction. Deadpool rolled his eyes, and teleported directly into Spider-Man's path. He shot a fist forward. Hard. It drove into Spider-Man's nose, sending the hero reeling backwards.

"Giddyap."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Wilson rolls backwards, springing up onto his feet and stares at the too men for a moment. It's a question he genuinely doesn't know the answer to.

"Yee-haw, Mother****er." Deadpool said angrily. He teleported behind the gunslinger first, driving a fist hard into the back of his head.

He appeared then right next to Spider-Man who, out of instinct, bolted in the other direction. Deadpool rolled his eyes, and teleported directly into Spider-Man's path. He shot a fist forward. Hard. It drove into Spider-Man's nose, sending the hero reeling backwards.

"Giddyap."

Lawton's head swam, stars dancing in front of his eyes and he could feel warm blood at the back of his throat. He smiled.

"Great minds think alike." he muttered before letting go with a hail of bullets from the wrist-mounted pistols. The flurry of bullets sent Spider-Man and Deadpool bolting in separate directions.

Floyd knew he had to take Spider-Man out quick. He'd never fought him before and the little runt had quite a stunning display of superpowers. But he knew he had to rid himself of Wade Wilson first, because nowhere in the history of the entire human race would you find someone who was a bigger pain in the ass, and could as easily plant himself right in the middle of your ****.

"So Wade. You still got that healing factor?" Deadshot asked rhetorically as three bullets shot from the gun and tore through the Merc's left leg.