One Universe: Season IV IC Thread

[wiegeabo]

"Close. Very close. We've got a wiretap on his top lieuteanant, as well as taps on other members of his gang."

I give Batman a slight smile as I stick my hands in my pockets.

"I feel like, once we start to follow the money we can find out exactly who all he has working for him."

I grunt. I haven't been able to give Harvey the attention he deserves. To many characters like Mysterio has been popping up lately, keeping Robin and I busy. It's good to know that Gordon's people are on top of things. He's put a good team of honest cops together. I know that when they finally bring Two-Face in, the Mayor will have no choice but to give Jim the support he needs. And it'll be the first major step in cleaning up the force.

"Give me until the end of the week. I'll have everything we'll need. How has the mayor been responding to Dent's control of streets?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"Give me until the end of the week. I'll have everything we'll need. How has the mayor been responding to Dent's control of streets?"

I chuckle softly to myself as I cross my arms.

"His Honor loves what Two-Face is doing. Overall, Dent is keeping crime down in the areas he controls with an iron fist. He wants me to back off right now. With the election coming up next year, he likes it when crime is down. No matter how it's being done."

 

[Karem-Knight]

United States Military Base

"This shouldn't be happening...." Amanda Waller said, her head looking down on the main Sentinel computer assessment screen. Her leader, the President had just introduced these machines to her and sent them to Kahndaq to take care of the situation there; nearly 50 had been sent with more being built somewhere in the United States. For the past 10 minutes five had been destroyed but over seventy Kahndaqi resident were killed; only half were mutants/meta-humans posing a threat. Opening the doors Lex came inside, knowing full well that he had indirectly caused a full scale war and made many unnecessary victims.

"Indeed it shouldn't...it looks like my calculations of the Sentinels were wrong. They have been built only to attack those who pose threats on a meta-level; civilians should not be harmed. I have already edited the next batch of them to detect only mutants."

"Sir...I respect you and your decisions; but this is more than just a "miss-calculation" over twenty Kahndaqi civilians have been killed! Men, women and children!"

"I know Miss Waller. And I feel each death with sorrow and pity, but Black Adam is a very powerful threat to the United States and democracy it's self. If he had attacked us first, I guarantee the number of dead American civilians would be much higher."

Lex began typing in codes to the Sentinel database, adjustments to reduce civilian casualties.

"If word of this gets out Mr. President, this will badly effect our international relations and that with the public."


"Same when Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshama all those years ago? I'm sorry, but desperate times call for desperate measures and I can not be completely blamed for my actions. We had Giant Man, Hawkeye, Vision, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman and Thor on our side and they had trouble with Adam's forces. When our meta-human soldiers could not fight back, I was not going to risk the lives of American soldiers.

Besides, I'm about to put an end to this madness once and for all."

Lex began to configure the Sentinels and from the desert fields of Nervada to the much more middle eastern lands of Kahndaq; the Sentinels halted for a brief moment as one created a hologram in front of the crowd of super-beings.

"INCOMING MESSAGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY: ALL SENTINELS HALTED."

As Lex stood perfectly still, the image of his face was shown to the entire masses as they all stared back at him; he could see the battle and it was going into his favour as he began to speak.

"Black Adam, this is President Lex Luthor of the United States of America. As before I stated I had no intention of this political situation to spill to an all our war between both our nations. But you had given me no choice by harbouring so many dangerous fugitives; that I could only take the initiative."

"What do you want, murderer!?" Adam said as Thor and Wonder Woman took a close eye on him.

"I have made a very fatal error in releasing my new creations ; The Sentinels, but they were a last resort and now that I have showed you the might of my country- I want us to end this conflict here and now. I have arranged a meeting for us in Washington for you to meet me here as soon as possible."

"You must be a fool! Do you think I would follow you? After what you have done to my country...my people! I would rather die than meet with a monster like you, I should just fly to America now and tear your heart out!!"

"I don't doubt that you could Adam. But if you decide not to meet with me; then I can just unleash wave after wave of Sentinel into your tiny little country till it lays in ruins. I won't enjoy it, but if you decide to be so non-negotiable then I won't hesitate to re-launch them right now. Your choice ruler of Kahndaq."

Silence for a moment as Black Adam hovered above his Capitol city, seeing the bodies of his people and army he closed his eyes for a moment and he knew the only thing he could do to stop this madness.


"Very well Luthor. I will meet with you in America."


"Good. I will have The Avengers escort you to the White House..alone."

And with that Lex's image disappeared from the Sentinel and the machines flew up back to their base as Black Adam stood there silently defeated.

 

[Blacklight]

"Another Lantern", Tyrant laughed.
"It makes little difference. . .kill them."

The horde of robots attacked, and the heroes gave their all as they fought back. Tyrant's minions were tough though, and it took much more than Norrin could have imagined to defeat them.
But they seemed almost endless.

"I do not know who you are", the Surfer said to the newcomer as he blasted the head off of an approaching robot.
"But you have my thanks!"

"I've got it", Hal shouted as he grabbed hold of the energy sphere and tore it from it's resting place.
Robot soldiers went after Parallax, but the Herald was able to fend them off with the help of Daredevil.
The heroes were holding their own against the overwhelming odds, but it wouldn't be long before they were overrun.

"We need to get out of here, now", the Surfer shouted as he dodged an incoming energy blast.

"Lantern", he spoke to the newcomer.
"Can you blow a hole in that side wall!? It should lead us back out to the main corridor!"

"On it." Rayner exclaimed as he created a construct of a Ram, and willed it to charge a hole through the wall the Silver Surfer directed him to.

The Lanterns and Galactus' former heralds quickly flew the through the hole as the tried to escape Tyrant's forces.

Kyle stopped however, as the sight of his legendary predeccessor left him in awe.

"Are you really Hal Jordan?"

"In the flesh, kid. You must be the one that found my ring?"

"Yup. The name's Kyle. Kyle Rayner."

"Well, Kyle... How about we save a universe?"

Kyle nodded as he and the former Greatest Green Lantern continued to follow Norrin Radd through the corridor...

 

[Keyser Soze]

"Yeah, that doesn't surprise me". Rhodey muttered. "Listen Tony, I wanted to thank you. Not just for this, but for everything. I appreciate you giving me a second chance".

It was true. After the accident, Rhodes had given up on everything. Now he stood there, broken, but somehow whole. He had a job still to do and now he had the equipment, the tech and the firepower to do it more effectively than ever before. Let Stark be the hero. Rhodes was a soldier and right now, a soldier was exactly what the world needed.

I looked longingly at Rhodey, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

"It was the least I could do, my friend. You mean the world to me. I'd do anything for you."

And then I leaned forward, and we kissed. Full on tongue-in-mouth lip action, groping each other's metal butts and stuff.

Okay, that's not actually what happened. But it seemed like it was getting there, didn't it?

"No problem," was my actual response, "But enough talk..."

The visor on my helmet snapped shut.

"Let's see how you handle flying this thing, pilot-man!"

The jet thrusters on my boots roared to life, and I blasted out the window and up into the skies above the hospital, waiting for Rhodey to follow.

 

[Keyser Soze]

United States Military Base

"This shouldn't be happening...." Amanda Waller said, her head looking down on the main Sentinel computer assessment screen. Her leader, the President had just introduced these machines to her and sent them to Kahndaq to take care of the situation there; nearly 50 had been sent with more being built somewhere in the United States. For the past 10 minutes five had been destroyed but over seventy Kahndaqi resident were killed; only half were mutants/meta-humans posing a threat. Opening the doors Lex came inside, knowing full well that he had indirectly caused a full scale war and made many unnecessary victims.

"Indeed it shouldn't...it looks like my calculations of the Sentinels were wrong. They have been built only to attack those who pose threats on a meta-level; civilians should not be harmed. I have already edited the next batch of them to detect only mutants."

"Sir...I respect you and your decisions; but this is more than just a "miss-calculation" over twenty Kahndaqi civilians have been killed! Men, women and children!"

"I know Miss Waller. And I feel each death with sorrow and pity, but Black Adam is a very powerful threat to the United States and democracy it's self. If he had attacked us first, I guarantee the number of dead American civilians would be much higher."

Lex began typing in codes to the Sentinel database, adjustments to reduce civilian casualties.

"If word of this gets out Mr. President, this will badly effect our international relations and that with the public."


"Same when Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshama all those years ago? I'm sorry, but desperate times call for desperate measures and I can not be completely blamed for my actions. We had Giant Man, Hawkeye, Vision, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman and Thor on our side and they had trouble with Adam's forces. When our meta-human soldiers could not fight back, I was not going to risk the lives of American soldiers.

Besides, I'm about to put an end to this madness once and for all."

Lex began to configure the Sentinels and from the desert fields of Nervada to the much more middle eastern lands of Kahndaq; the Sentinels halted for a brief moment as one created a hologram in front of the crowd of super-beings.

"INCOMING MESSAGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY: ALL SENTINELS HALTED."

As Lex stood perfectly still, the image of his face was shown to the entire masses as they all stared back at him; he could see the battle and it was going into his favour as he began to speak.

"Black Adam, this is President Lex Luthor of the United States of America. As before I stated I had no intention of this political situation to spill to an all our war between both our nations. But you had given me no choice by harbouring so many dangerous fugitives; that I could only take the initiative."

"What do you want, murderer!?" Adam said as Thor and Wonder Woman took a close eye on him.

"I have made a very fatal error in releasing my new creations ; The Sentinels, but they were a last resort and now that I have showed you the might of my country- I want us to end this conflict here and now. I have arranged a meeting for us in Washington for you to meet me here as soon as possible."

"You must be a fool! Do you think I would follow you? After what you have done to my country...my people! I would rather die than meet with a monster like you, I should just fly to America now and tear your heart out!!"

"I don't doubt that you could Adam. But if you decide not to meet with me; then I can just unleash wave after wave of Sentinel into your tiny little country till it lays in ruins. I won't enjoy it, but if you decide to be so non-negotiable then I won't hesitate to re-launch them right now. Your choice ruler of Kahndaq."

Silence for a moment as Black Adam hovered above his Capitol city, seeing the bodies of his people and army he closed his eyes for a moment and he knew the only thing he could do to stop this madness.


"Very well Luthor. I will meet with you in America."


"Good. I will have The Avengers escort you to the White House..alone."

And with that Lex's image disappeared from the Sentinel and the machines flew up back to their base as Black Adam stood there silently defeated.

And just like that, it was done. The remaining Sentinels were called off, and vanished as quickly as they had appeared. Adam took one last regretful look at the shattered remains of the country he had worked so hard to rebuilt, before turning to Thor.

"I never meant for this," he said, "I only wanted to protect my people."

Thor nodded sympathetically.

"Adam, you have the power of gods running through your veins. And with beings like us, wrath is a burden all too often. We do not anger like mortal men: our fury is violent, and destructive, and leaves wreckage in its wake. I try not to give in to that part of my nature, but looking at this... it is getting more difficult with each passing day."

The pair were joined by Wonder Woman and Vision, and together they all entered th Quinjet with the rest of the Avengers. It was a long, silent journey: Thor did not much wish to converse with most of his teammates. Eventually, they arrived in Washington. The Avengers escorted Black Adam - alone, as specified - into the designated room in the White House, and waited for Luthor arrival. Adam glanced over at Thor once more.

"I suppose it is here that the conditions of my surrender are to be decided."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Flash, Cap...I think I'm going to stick around for a bit and lend a hand", the Man of Steel said, indicating towards LA.
"Lord knows they're going to need all the help they can get."

"Sounds good. I'll meet you both there."

I rush off through the dessert back towards the city. But I stop the instant I reach the middle of one of the many streets.

I slowly turn around and survey the devastation. All around me people scream and cry out for help. Sirens echo through the streets and neighborhoods. Fires rage from buildings, filling the sky with ash and smoke.

I've seen worse with the arrival of Darkseid and Galactus. But this was done by one man in so short a time. It's all so overwhelming.

"God almighty. Where do we start?"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Sounds good. I'll meet you both there."

I rush off through the dessert back towards the city. But I stop the instant I reach the middle of one of the many streets.

I slowly turn around and survey the devastation. All around me people scream and cry out for help. Sirens echo through the streets and neighborhoods. Fires rage from buildings, filling the sky with ash and smoke.

I've seen worse with the arrival of Darkseid and Galactus. But this was done by one man in so short a time. It's all so overwhelming.

"God almighty. Where do we start?"

"Anywhere and everywhere", Superman sighs as he flies in with Captain America in tow.
The devastation was immense, and looking at it all, smelling the death around him, tore at Superman's heart. He felt guilty for this tragedy.

If only he had gotten here sooner...

He pushed the thoughts away as he silently glided towards a group of firefighters trying to sift under the rubble. His keen hearing heard the cries of the little girl underneath it all, and his x-ray vision confirmed her position.

"Excuse me, gentlemen", Clark spoke as he floated forward, grabbing hold of a massive side of a building and lifting it above his head.
Down, wedged inside an old refrigerator with the door busted off it was a small girl. She couldn't have been older than six as she lay curled up, tears streaming down her cheeks.
A firefighter moved in and helped her out, taking her away as Superman softly put the large piece of rubble back down.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The blackbird touched down inside the massive hanger that resided underneath the mansion's grounds. Scott killed the engines and opened the landing ramp, and the X-Men filed out of the craft.

"Welcome to your new home, Ray", Jean smiled.

"Thanks...", Ray said as he looked around the hanger, his eyes wide as he took in the impressive sights all around him.

"This is...amazing", he said as his eyes looked over all the equipment and pieces of technology strewn about the massive room.
"Who pays for all this stuff?"

 

[Catman_prb]

The blackbird touched down inside the massive hanger that resided underneath the mansion's grounds. Scott killed the engines and opened the landing ramp, and the X-Men filed out of the craft.

"Welcome to your new home, Ray", Jean smiled.

"Thanks...", Ray said as he looked around the hanger, his eyes wide as he took in the impressive sights all around him.

"This is...amazing", he said as his eyes looked over all the equipment and pieces of technology strewn about the massive room.
"Who pays for all this stuff?"

"Drugs money, mainly," Jamie said, rubbing the raw skin around his neck where the noose had been "Are we going off again, or can I get in some time with my sweet Jubilee,"

"You know you sound like a man ****e when you say that, don't you,"

"Hey Jeanie, you can see what I'm thinking of when I say sweet," Jamie said with a wink.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Drugs money, mainly," Jamie said, rubbing the raw skin around his neck where the noose had been "Are we going off again, or can I get in some time with my sweet Jubilee,"

"You know you sound like a man ****e when you say that, don't you,"

"Hey Jeanie, you can see what I'm thinking of when I say sweet," Jamie said with a wink.

"Such a tempting offer", Jean replied sarcastically.
"But I think I'll pass, thank you very much."

"Sure, Jamie", Scott said, "you've got some time. We'll meet back here in an hour. Ray, you're with me."

"Where are we going?"

"Going to introduce you to the Professor", Scott answered.
"I'm sure he's excited to meet you."

"I'll see you all in an hour", Cyclops said with a final look to his fellows.
"C'mon, Ray. Follow me."

Scott turned and he and Ray started heading for the hanger's exit.

"Wait up, Scott", Jean called out as she ran to catch up with him.

"I'll come with you", she smiled at him.

"Sure", was all Scott could muster as Jean locked her arm inside Scott's and walked with him out of the hanger, the door sliding shut behind them.

 

[Byrd Man]

If only he had gotten here sooner...

He pushed the thoughts away as he silently glided towards a group of firefighters trying to sift under the rubble. His keen hearing heard the cries of the little girl underneath it all, and his x-ray vision confirmed her position.

"Excuse me, gentlemen", Clark spoke as he floated forward, grabbing hold of a massive side of a building and lifting it above his head.
Down, wedged inside an old refrigerator with the door busted off it was a small girl. She couldn't have been older than six as she lay curled up, tears streaming down her cheeks.
A firefighter moved in and helped her out, taking her away as Superman softly put the large piece of rubble back down.

I grab hold of an older man and help him hobble to an ambulance.

"Cap," the old man asks cautiously as we navigate over the rubble.

"I-...I was in the war, 3rd Infantry. You served with us at-

"Palmero. I remember that. We were stuck waiting for the armored division and had to fight our way up into Messina. Lost a lot of good men that day."

"Yeah," he says as his voice gets heavy.

"I just wanted to say that, back then I thought you were a hero....and you still are."

"What's your name?"

"Holcomb, sir. Leon Holcomb."

"I appreciate the kindness, Leon. But honestly, I don't feel like much of a hero today."

I help him into the ambulance and step aside as the paramedics go to work.

"Just remember that, no matter how hard it gets sometimes, you're doing good work. Like those days in Sicily."

I just stand in silence as the ambulance drives away, the flashing lights reflecting off my shield and basking my face in red, white, and blue light.

 

[Karem-Knight]

And just like that, it was done. The remaining Sentinels were called off, and vanished as quickly as they had appeared. Adam took one last regretful look at the shattered remains of the country he had worked so hard to rebuilt, before turning to Thor.

"I never meant for this," he said, "I only wanted to protect my people."

Thor nodded sympathetically.

"Adam, you have the power of gods running through your veins. And with beings like us, wrath is a burden all too often. We do not anger like mortal men: our fury is violent, and destructive, and leaves wreckage in its wake. I try not to give in to that part of my nature, but looking at this... it is getting more difficult with each passing day."

The pair were joined by Wonder Woman and Vision, and together they all entered th Quinjet with the rest of the Avengers. It was a long, silent journey: Thor did not much wish to converse with most of his teammates. Eventually, they arrived in Washington. The Avengers escorted Black Adam - alone, as specified - into the designated room in the White House, and waited for Luthor arrival. Adam glanced over at Thor once more.

"I suppose it is here that the conditions of my surrender are to be decided."

"It is indeed Adam."

Luthor said revealing himself outside in the gardens of the White House with several S.H.E.I.L.D. and Secret Service agents behind him. He made no modesty in his smirk that he was proud of the victory he had just won, showing almost no remorse for the lives he had taken- even though he claimed to have.

"Hello...Luthor!"

Black Adam said a stern look on his face with The Avengers behind him, Lex looked down to see his fist shaking with anger. The might of a god was much greater than all the world's armies put together; but Adam was not born a god and Lex knew this. As always, he needed to know his enemy's weakness.

"I have only come here today so that you stop this mindless slaughter of the people of Kahndaq....my country...my people...I want a fair and just trial. Even you can't escape international laws of justice!"

"Spoken like a true politician...but as I understand, you haven't really been fair to your people. You may not like what I have done to your country but at least the people of America chose me to be their leader. You on the other hand, just took Kahndaq for yourself."

"I have come here willingly Luthor. If you push my luck, I won't hesitate to make this a global conflict!"

Adam stared the President deep into his eyes- showing no sense of fear but only hatred. Lex gave him a look of absolute arrogance, as if he were mocking the ruler of Kahndaq.

"Believe me Adam...you won't be able to do such a stupid act."

Adam looked over to Luthor's shoulder and noticed a very elegant and beautiful woman standing behind him; concentrating deeply on him. All of a sudden his mind began to swirl out of control he started to feel nauseas.

"What.....what's...happening to me....."

He fell to his knees and starred up at Lex who held his chin to stare at him.

"Now Adam...tell me those "magical" words that grant you those powers..."

Lex stepped several steps back and nodded to the woman behind him as Black Adam's lips began to move and shake, he could tell it took every ounce of his willpower to prevent this. But the pressure in his mind was too great to combat.

"...SH...SHA.....SHAA.....SHAZAM!!!"

KABOOM

Lighting struck the gardens of the White House, where once Black Adam- ruler of Kahndaq bearer of the power of the wizard Shazam, instead stood a frail man of his features in clothes that which were no different that men wore thousands of years ago in Egypt. And then all of a sudden he was bombarded with tranquillisers to his body as soon as the attack on his mind stopped he fell to the ground- asleep.

"Well...that was not how I would end such an enormous battle. But, each to his own I guess. Take him to the S.H.E.I.L.D. Top Level- Security Facility and make sure he is sedated at all times."

Lex turned around to the woman standing behind him responsible for the attack on Black Adam's mind.

"And thank you again; Miss Frost. Your services to the United States has been remarkable."

"No problem at all...Mr. President."

The Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. and Emma Frost carried Adam's unconscious body from the White House and towards a near by helicopter as Lex turned around back to the Avengers with a look of pride to them.

"And once again, Avengers. Thank you. If it hadn't been for your intervention I would n't know how we could have coped with Kahndaq. Now, another rouge nation has been dealt with."

Luthor stood there starring at his new pawns whom gave him nothing more than a stern look, trying to stop the anger and betrayal they felt from him. But still he waited for their response.

 

[Optikal]

The sewer stank of rot and filth. But Mask had made a promise to the world. He would start from the bottom and build his way up. Of course, bieng so far down had it's advantages. There were people of great value and special abilities down here. Though Mask doubted how much of a person was really left within the creature that he now saught.

A little deeper into the sewer he heard the distant rumble of a throaty growl. With confidence he stepped into the gloom and turned a corner. In front of him hunched a huge figure, it's broad scaled shoulders hunched over in the corner. The sound of bones snapping and flesh being rendered left little doubt as to what the man was doing.

"Waylon Jones, I presume?" Mask asked, folding his arms across the sharp grey suit he wore.

Jones spun around, his yellow eyes glowing and white fangs dripping with gore. he wiped a thick arm across his maw, streaking blood up his arm. "The name's Croc. Killer Croc"he growled.

Mask smiled and tilted his head slightly in acknowledgement. "Of course. Killer Croc".

"Whadda you want? I've told Waller and her goons that I ain't interested. I did what she wanted and I ain't going back".

Mask glanced at the mutilated corpse at the feet of the hulking monster. "Waller? Oh no Croc, I'm not with the law. In fact, I'm very much outside of it. And I have some work for you. You'll be well paid of course..." he glanced again at the body, "...and well fed".

Croc grinned and snapped a leg from the corpse. "Hobo meat. They come down here occaisionally and ain't like anyone is gonna miss 'em. Kinda stringy though".

Mask grimaced and for a second wondered if he'd come to the right man.

"So tell me, a guy in a skull mask comes into my lair offering me employment and the most incentive you've got is money an' food? Why? what makes you more different to anyone else that's done the same? I don't much fancy goin' back in the slammer". He snarled, swinging the leg like a conductor as he spoke.

"Oh, this isn't some half assed bank job or half cocked evil scheme Croc. This is big. Bigger than anything you've been involved in before. Something not even Waller or the capes can stop. We're building an empire, a whole f-cking nation. Not even the Bat can take down a whole empire can he?"

Croc merely smiled in reply.

"I need you to head my muscle. Be my prescence on the street. I have money, resources, men and ambition. Help me out and we'l bring this whole f-cking city to its knees. We'll bleed them dry until they beg us for mercy. You can stay down here in the grime for the rest of your life Croc, or you can share the spoils of a war that none of those ignorant bastards up top are prepared for".

He threw the leg into the filthy stinking water and watched as it sank into the mire. Croc cracked his neck and grinned at Black Mask. "I'll join this gig you've got goin' on one condition... The Bat? when it comes to the Bat, I get to eat his heart".

Black Mask nodded and rubbed his chin. "Consider it done. If he tries to interfere, Batman is yours".
​

The fourth floor office is small. Grimy. Stinking like something had rotted and died and soaked into the dusty floorboards underfoot. Mask ignored it as he stood gazing out of the window into the Narrows. He'd aquired the building just a day or two before. It wasn't permenant, after all, if things went to plan, he'd be moving into a plush new pad soon enough. Somewhere behind him a door creaked open and the angry breathing of the monster known as Killer Croc filled his senses.

"It's done" the monster growled.

Mask didn't bother turning. Instead he merely clasped white gloved hands behond his back. His vision followed a lone taxi cab into the rain soaked maze of streets below. "Is everything set up downstairs?"

"Yeah. Listen boss, when're we going to get some real action? I'm getting bored of just nabbing these goons of the streets".

Mask let out a breath of a laugh and turned around. The Croc was stood up against his desk, the lone lamp that sat there only served to highlight the monsters scaled form of tightly corded muscle. He looked truly horrifying. "The game is much bigger than drawing blood Croc. If we're to succeed then we need the other players out of the picture. Why waste valuable resources and put ourselves in the limelight of the law when we can so easily manipulate the other pawns in this game? Already the Ribione family is looking for who took out Carlito Ribiones nephew. They're thinking Fan Szus Yakuza but they're not ready to hit".

"Is that why we had to grab Fan-Szu's brother-in-law?"

"Exactly". Mask smiled at his lieutenants quick grasp at the board. One by one the pieces would move where Mask would have them move. The whole infrastructure would cave in right he when was ready for it to. Like a deck of cards, the merest whisper was enough to send Gothams criminal underbelly tumbling. "So, we send the dear relative home in a cardboard box. Throw in a couple of Ribiones favorite carnations and sit back and watch the fireworks".

Croc nodded in acknowledgement.

"Now, whilst I go and have a little sit down with Mr Chink downstairs, I want you and the boys down to the docks. There's a shipment coming in three hours. It's a weapons cache for the Irish gangs down in the Narrows. I want you to take it and kill anyone there. No witnesses".

"Sure thing boss". Croc grunted before squeezing through the door frame and disappearing down the darkened hall. Mask made his way in the opposite direction, down the stairs towards the store rooms where a gagged member of the Yakuza family was waiting.
​

 

[Optikal]

I looked longingly at Rhodey, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

"It was the least I could do, my friend. You mean the world to me. I'd do anything for you."

And then I leaned forward, and we kissed. Full on tongue-in-mouth lip action, groping each other's metal butts and stuff.

Okay, that's not actually what happened. But it seemed like it was getting there, didn't it?

"No problem," was my actual response, "But enough talk..."

The visor on my helmet snapped shut.

"Let's see how you handle flying this thing, pilot-man!"

The jet thrusters on my boots roared to life, and I blasted out the window and up into the skies above the hospital, waiting for Rhodey to follow.

Rhodes watched Iron Man soar into the air. His own visor slid down and the jets kicked in. With his competitive streak kicking in, War Machine shot out of the window and into the air, easily catching up with Iron Man. "You call that flying Tony? My grandma can fly better than that!"

With that, he blasted higher into the air, testing the limits of his new weapon.

 

[Carnage27]

"Stand down, Deadpool. You've gone over the line. SWATs probably already on their way."

Deadpool doesn't waste any time. He can tell that I'm weakened, and he wants his pay off. He rushes at me, teleporting as he does it, catching me with a devastating punch across my face.

He stays on me, basically beating my face like a Whack-a-Mole game. I can't take much more of this. My vision starts to blur more and more with each hit, and my attempts at counter blows are nothing more than soft pushes.

So this is how it ends, huh? Not being taken down by a super villain, or an alien invasion, or a mutant war, but by a mercenary nut-job. Never would have saw that one coming.

And then I realize I have my League communicator on me. I press the panic button, praying someone gets here in time.

 

[Catman_prb]

Deadpool doesn't waste any time. He can tell that I'm weakened, and he wants his pay off. He rushes at me, teleporting as he does it, catching me with a devastating punch across my face.

He stays on me, basically beating my face like a Whack-a-Mole game. I can't take much more of this. My vision starts to blur more and more with each hit, and my attempts at counter blows are nothing more than soft pushes.

So this is how it ends, huh? Not being taken down by a super villain, or an alien invasion, or a mutant war, but by a mercenary nut-job. Never would have saw that one coming.

And then I realize I have my League communicator on me. I press the panic button, praying someone gets here in time.

Kara stayed at the back of the group of heroes, clearing out one of the smaller shops that had had it's wall caved in. She heard a beeping sound, and looked down at her hip where the emergency League communicator that Clark had given her sat. She frowned. It looked like a message from Spider-Man...

Three Minutes Later...

Kara Kent sped through the sky, throwing a hard punch at the multi-coloured mercenary who was on top of Spider-Man.

"Uhm...hi," she said uncertainly.

 

[Byrd Man]

"So, Hank. How is your new class coming along?" Charles asks as he moves his knight.

Ever since my days as a tudent, our weekly chess matches were something of a ritual. Very rarely have we not played at least a game one week.

"Very interesting. It seems to me that the class enjoys learning about evolution, especially since I told them that we are biproduct of that evolution theory," I say as I move one of my rooks two spaces.

"I believe that Scott and the team have arrived," he says as he wheels away from the table.

"It's your move."

"Well, Bishop to B7. Checkmate."

I look down at the board and frown.

"Yes, it seems you have."

The door opens and the visor clad head of Scott Summers pops in.

"Scott, please come in. Tell me how it went."

 

[Keyser Soze]

Rhodes watched Iron Man soar into the air. His own visor slid down and the jets kicked in. With his competitive streak kicking in, War Machine shot out of the window and into the air, easily catching up with Iron Man. "You call that flying Tony? My grandma can fly better than that!"

With that, he blasted higher into the air, testing the limits of his new weapon.

Oh he's feeling cocky. That's good. I fly up in pursuit, catching up with him.

"You might want to know how that suit of your works. There's an orbital base that operates as a global satellite system, linked directly into the neural network of your suit. Let's you hack into systems, upload just about any information you want. And, you'll be happy to hear, it runs totally seperate from any Stark Industries tech. It's designed so that the connection is direct between the orbital base and your suit, with third party access impossible. Offers you full stealth against any and all threats."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

THE ODYSSEY
Chapter 5 ~ Into the Lion's Den - Act 3​

"On it." Rayner exclaimed as he created a construct of a Ram, and willed it to charge a hole through the wall the Silver Surfer directed him to.

The Lanterns and Galactus' former heralds quickly flew the through the hole as the tried to escape Tyrant's forces.

Kyle stopped however, as the sight of his legendary predeccessor left him in awe.

"Are you really Hal Jordan?"

"In the flesh, kid. You must be the one that found my ring?"

"Yup. The name's Kyle. Kyle Rayner."

"Well, Kyle... How about we save a universe?"

Kyle nodded as he and the former Greatest Green Lantern continued to follow Norrin Radd through the corridor...

"This way", the Surfer shouted as he turned a sharp corner, the entire group evading a volley of weapons fire from the horde nipping at their heels.

Parallax turned and fired a blast of cosmic energy at the ceiling, collapsing it and blocking the hallway behind them.

"That should buy us some time", Hal said as the group continued to race out of Fortress.

"Yes, we should be able to...wait", Norrin said, a puzzled look on his face. There was something else here, a power he senses.

"Go on ahead. I will catch up soon", Norrin said as he slowed his pace and veered away from the group.

"Norrin, what are you doing", shouted Hal.

"There is something I need to do, first. Do not worry, I will meet you back at the Crunch."

"Dammit", Hal grumbled as he took off after Norrin.
"Lanterns! Take the orb to the Crunch and wait for us there! We'll be right behind you!"

"You should not have followed me, Hal Jordan", the Surfer stated as Parallax came up along side him.

"You think I'm going to let you go it alone, you're nuts", Hal smirked.

The Surfer smiled and nodded his head, "Very well. This way."

The Surfer led Jordan down the winding corridors of Fortress.

"So, what do you think it is?"

Norrin looked towards Hal and replied, "I do not know."

"It feels like it's...well, like it's one of us. And it's energy is slowly fading."

"I know, which is why we must investigate."

The Silver Surfer and Parallax came to a sealed door that Norrin promptly blew open.
Entering a large room, Hal and Norrin appeared shocked as they saw all the massive machines, all fast at work, as they drained the power of the imprisoned man.

"Oh, no...I should've known...", Norrin sighs.

Spoiler

"Hey, if it ain't Chrome Dome and the Green Ranger! What's shakin' ladies?"

 

[Catman_prb]

Jamie walked out of the bathroom of his room, dressed only in a towel that was wrapped around his waist. He smiled at the naked girl on his bed, who was idly flicking through a guitar magazine.

"I didn't hear you walk in...?" Jamie said, gesturing to the door. Jubilee shrugged and Jamie noticed that she'd kept her boots on. He made a garbled sound in the back of his throat.

"How'd you get the rope burn?" she asked.

For a second he considered it. He considered telling her how some big, butch, closet homosexual had tried to hang him, KKK style. He considered telling her how absolutely ****ing terrified he'd been and how he'd still beaten the **** out of the guy even though he was getting choked at the time. But he didn't.

"Kinky German bondage dudes," he said with a smirk and a shrug "What have you been up to?"

Out of the window, Jamie saw Laura sat on one of the swings in the garden talking to someone who looked suspiciously like Bobby. Not that he cared who the hell she talked to, it was just that Bobby had something of a reputation, a reputation that she didn't know about and it was his duty as an overprotective friend to help her out, right? Right?

"Huh, what did you say?"

"I said I've been reading the Kama Sutra,"

"Sweet Mother of mercy, is that legal?"

"The real question is, are you bendy enough?"

Jamie lay back and thought of England.

 

[Catman_prb]

"And once again, Avengers. Thank you. If it hadn't been for your intervention I would n't know how we could have coped with Kahndaq. Now, another rouge nation has been dealt with."

Luthor stood there starring at his new pawns whom gave him nothing more than a stern look, trying to stop the anger and betrayal they felt from him. But still he waited for their response.

"There was a great miscarriage of justice here today, President Luthor. Every man is accountable for his actions, no matter how noble the intention," the Vision said, watching the SHIELD agents with keen eyes.

He was well aware that he had disobeyed protocal, and there was every chance that they would choose this moment to decomission him. Tellingly, Pym would not meet his gaze, and some of the agents were certainly looking his way. Maybe it was just their first experience of a synthetic. He knew what he would do if they came, though. Run, run, run away to Wanda. To safety.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

I grab hold of an older man and help him hobble to an ambulance.

"Cap," the old man asks cautiously as we navigate over the rubble.

"I-...I was in the war, 3rd Infantry. You served with us at-

"Palmero. I remember that. We were stuck waiting for the armored division and had to fight our way up into Messina. Lost a lot of good men that day."

"Yeah," he says as his voice gets heavy.

"I just wanted to say that, back then I thought you were a hero....and you still are."

"What's your name?"

"Holcomb, sir. Leon Holcomb."

"I appreciate the kindness, Leon. But honestly, I don't feel like much of a hero today."

I help him into the ambulance and step aside as the paramedics go to work.

"Just remember that, no matter how hard it gets sometimes, you're doing good work. Like those days in Sicily."

I just stand in silence as the ambulance drives away, the flashing lights reflecting off my shield and basking my face in red, white, and blue light.

"It makes me sick, seeing all of this...being part of it all", Superman said as he floated down next to Captain America.

"If we only could've found out about this sooner...maybe we could've saved them", Clark said as he looked about at the destruction around him.

"There's got to be a better way."

 

[Optikal]

Oh he's feeling cocky. That's good. I fly up in pursuit, catching up with him.

"You might want to know how that suit of your works. There's an orbital base that operates as a global satellite system, linked directly into the neural network of your suit. Let's you hack into systems, upload just about any information you want. And, you'll be happy to hear, it runs totally seperate from any Stark Industries tech. It's designed so that the connection is direct between the orbital base and your suit, with third party access impossible. Offers you full stealth against any and all threats."

Rhodey smiled as schematics popped up on the in-visor display. Everything Tony had mentioned mentioned was now up in front of his eyes. He halted his flight path and spun to meet Stark as he rapidly approached. "Tony, thanks for everything, man. I'd love to hang with you here and teach you how to fly properly, but there's something important I've got to do".

Rhodey spun in the air and set a course for the Navajo reservation in Arizona. There was only one person in the world other than Tony who would miss him and from the information the Mar Machine tech had been able to dig up, his mother had already been served with his death certificate.

 

[Optikal]

Spoiler

​

New York.

Three Days after the abduction of mutant Danielle Moonstar.


"Thankyou for all coming. My name is Rack Flag, head of the Department of Meta-Human Affairs".

Wolverine strolled over from the corner of the darkened room and butted out his cigar on the expensive looking table the rest of the new team were sat around. "We know who you are bub. Now why not skip the cookie cutter crap and lay it out straight?"

"Who'se the charmer?" asked a dark haired young woman.

Wolverine shot her a look. She shot him one right back.

"This is Logan. Codename: Wolverine. An accelerated healing ability, adamantium skeleton and retractable claws. He'll be the field commander of this operation". Flag said. "And I suppose introductions for the rest of you are in order". He cast a hand to a dark skinned man, well built, his face covered by his dreadlocks. "This is Nathan Craig Jones. Codename: Coldcast. He has the power to control and manipulate the electro-magnetic spectrum".

Coldcast glanced around the table at the rest of the crew but said nothing.

"Next to him, Neena Thurman. Codename: Domino. An expert markswoman and tactician with the power to turn luck in her favor".

"The big man is James Proudstar. Codename: Warpath. Master combatant both hand-to-hand and with weapons. Super strength, super durability and super stamina".

"And Finally, Scandal Savage. Accelerated Healing and carries her 'Lamentation' Blades. I'm sure you and Logan will get on just fine".

"Now our intel has told us that they've taken the Moonstar girl hostage in a warehouse in an old industrial park on the outskirts of New Jersey. The place looks dead and abandoned to the naked eye but I can assure you that it's more heavily armed than Fort Knox. We don't know if they have any other hostages but as of right now your mission is to get in. Extract any civilians and get out. As little noise as possible. Got it?"

Logan nodded and folded his arms. "I know Dom and Jimmy myself and know what they can do. You sure your little girl scouts are up for this Flag? it might not be pretty".

Scandal flew out of her seat, her eyes blazing. "You think I'm not up for it? How about I gut you where you stand and then we'll see whose up for it?!""


Logan smiled and nodded. "Good. I'm glad you're game kid because honey I'm the best at what I do. And what I do ain't very nice!".

Wolverine. Coldcast. Scandal Savage. Warpath. Domino

Ash Moor Industrial Center.
New Jersey.

Three Days after the abduction of mutant Danielle Moonstar.


The scent in the air assaulted his senses. Only a mutant with a sense of smell like his own would be able to pick it up. But to Logan it was so strong that it was almost tangible. Fear.

From the tree-line he could see the main gate to the compound. Domino was on the south flank, Savage on the east and Warpath on the west. Coldcast crouched next to him in the bush. Checking his watch, Wolverine pressed the comm in his ear to activate communication with the team. "Everyone in position?" he growled.

"Check"
"Yeah"
"Lets get this over with"

"Okay. Warehouse 1B is where the package is. Once Coldcast blows the electronics, we'll have three minutes before the back-up generators kick in. We're straight in, straight out. We get Moonstar and get the hell out of there. This is it kids. Buckle up". Wolverine turned to the dreadlocked man next to him and nodded grimly. "It's time".

Coldcast rose up and lifted from the ground, sending out a huge EMP blast towards the compound. Suddenly, the whole scene was plunged into darkness. Wolverine leapt from his position and charged the entrance. Two men appeared from behind a tanker and levelled automatic rifles at the feral mutant.

*snikt*

Wolverine leapt into a flying tackle and collided with the first man, his claws implaing the gunman and taking him to the ground. In one fluid motion he rose and spun to face the other man. A volley of gunfire punched him from his feet. Wolverine hit the ground hard as Coldcast landed behind the man and savagely snapped his neck.

Wolverine rolled to his feet and groaned. The shots had been panicked and hadn't hit anything major. His healing factor would take care of them eventually. With a pissed off grunt he glanced across at Coldcast and nodded a thanks. Both men charged into the Warehouse.
​