Rise of Marvels: 2099 Edition IC Thread

[UltimateRPGs]

RISE OF MARVELS: 2099 Edition

Welcome to the Future!

The year is 2099, and the world is a different place than it once was. The Age of Heroes is over, and an Age of Technology now reigns. With the heroes and villains vanishing in wake of The Great Cataclysm, it was the corporations that slowly began to take control as they helped rebuild the Earth.
Massive corporations, such as Alchemax, Stark Industries, and D/Monix, now rule the world like a global police state. Each company carving out large sectors of land as their own, and enforcing it with their own armies and hired guns.

In this society, the lower class are truly living in poverty. Many are homeless, living in slums provided by the corporations away from their cities. With no hope of a better life, many turn to religious cults to help fill their lives with meaning, worshiping the heroes of old and praying to them for salvation (most prominent being the Church of Thor and the Doomsday Church). Those not destitute live in the massive cities, under the watchful eye of the Corps.

Mutants still exist in the year 2099, but a cure to the "mutant disease" was discovered and many were stripped of their abilities. Now the remaining mutants live in small, hidden communities far away from the prying eyes of the Corps in the ever-dangerous lawless lands.
Some mutants still cling to the cities, living carefully among the humans, trying to stay undetected from prying eyes while making a decent living.

The heroes are gone, but the time is ripe and the cycle is about to begin again. Will these new super-powered beings be tools for the corporations to use in their continuing battle for supremacy? Or will they help topple the invincible giants that rule the everyday lives of the entire planet?

Only YOU can say for sure...

---------------------------------------

This RPG is set in an alternate 2099 timeline. Posters can create a future version of Marvel characters and incorporate them into the world of 2099. Characters already established in 2099 continuity have not appeared yet.
Though if somebody wanted to play Miguel O'Hara or X'ian they may. Or they could create their own version of Spider-Man 2099, Hulk 2099, Ravage 2099, etc. Choice is up to them.
​

Gamemaster: Johnny Blaze
AGMs: Optikal; Byrd Man


Rules

Characters must be future versions of established Marvel characters from the mainstream Marvel, or the classic 2099, continuity (i.e. Moon Knight 2099, Nick Fury 2099, Magneto 2099, etc).
Characters from alternate timelines or other Marvel imprints are not allowed.
Created characters may be children, or grandchildren, of original Marvel characters. But they must be tied to their predecessors (i.e. have similar powers).

If a major character is applied for, there will be a 24 hour period for other applicants. If there are multiple applications, the GM's will decide who gets the character. Less popular characters can be given out on a first come, first serve basis.

You are allowed a maximum of two characters. It is advised you start with just one, though. Once you feel you are able to handle another character, then, by all means, put up the application.

You must post at least once every two weeks, though it is preferred you post more, or your character will be up-for-grabs. Failure to post after a month will result in removal from the roster.

PC's are not to be killed without permission. Nameless NPC's are fine, but PC's or important NPC's will require authorization. Don't do anything random, such as destroying the universe, either. Such behavior is frowned upon.

Several storylines can be going on at once, in order to interact with other players. If a player's character does not want to be involved in another player's storyline, they do not have to. Consultation and communication are the keys to a good PC-to-PC interaction.

You can travel anywhere on Earth or off-planet, provided it is within your character's means. Time-travel is forbidden, unless it is specifically required of your character choice (i.e. Kang the Conqueror, Immortus, etc).

You are your character, so act like them. Create or portray their mannerisms, powers, and ideals to how they have been established in the game. BE the character - do not, under any circumstances, play yourself as the character.

Respect the Gamemasters. If they make a request of you regarding the game, listen to them. Failure to adhere to GM, AGM, and Hype! Moderator requests will result in expulsion from the game.

Be creative, and do not be afraid to try new and exciting things with old concepts. This is a new continuity - so spin it however you wish.

All regular Hype rules apply.

And finally, the most important rule of all: Have fun. Never take the game too seriously, or you will have lost the point. Heated arguments between players can result in probation or infractions - do not ruin it for other players. It's a ****ing game, people.

 

[Gallagher]

"My name is Ryan Slade Cassidy, for a long time now I've gone under the name my father took: Deadpool. People mistake that as an act of compassion, it's the opposite, I hated Wade Wilson.

I dealt with not having a real father, it was tough on my mother, bringing up such an energetic kid like me on her own but then again would it really have been any better with Wilson? My ma did what she could for me and it was enough.

When I'd heard what my 'Father' had done, I snapped, I hunted him down, devoid of all feelings save for me anger. He had murdered my mother and I was going to return the favour.

It took me three long years but I finally found him, in the alps, held up in a house formerly used by the mutant known as Cable, I got the information by breaking the computer hacker, Weasel's legs. I regret what I did to him, I later found out through his grandchildren that he was a good man at heart, I acted in a fit of rage and grief, I hope that before he died he forgave me.

Wilson on the other hand, I could never forgive, call it hypocritical, I don't care, he killed the one person in the world I cared about. He didn't deserve to live.

Nothing could've prepared for what I found when I came face to face with my father... He was in tears, the man who I'd heard was never silent, never serious, deranged, was sat infront of me, tears rolling down his scarred face and his head in his hands. I asked him, foolishly, if he was afraid to finally die.

He said he was dead the moment he found out who his target was. He'd taken a job, he wouldn't say who from, that ended with my mother dead.

Inside I know that didn't excuse his actions, it just made my anger swell. He killed her for money, not out of anger, he had no motive other than money. He still loved my mother, he still loved his 'Red'. He asked me to end it, I granted his wish.

Before he died he told me something, something at the time I didn't know how to take it, now I do, now I understand that it was all just part of his demented psyche as it is now apart of mine, the Wilson curse is knowing this fact:

I'm just a fictional character.

Years passed and I went from job to job using my fathers name, I searched in vain for any clues as to the true nature of my mother's death. After awhile, I didn't care anymore I was just working to stay alive, I found myself being compared to my dad more and more as my sanity started to wane slightly, not to mention the whole: "I can grow limbs back" thing.

So now I here I am at the grand old age of 48 with the looks of a handsome Irish 20-something. I was picked up by a man named Alex Hayden and invited to join his mercenary group, Agency X, turns out he's older than me, we both have healing factors, small world huh?"

***

"Thanks A." Ryan Cassidy spits through mouthfuls of Pizza as the young man, Apollo, hands him the video game controller. "Ready to get schooled mate?" He says jovially as the television flickers to life, it was one of those old-style games that you had to operate with a remote. Upon finding the relic on a mission in the slums, Ryan remembered, Alex had actually squeeled like a girl and informed the rest of them that he 'Loved this old ****.' It was this kind of attitude that made the team's lives bearable. They lived together, the four of them in a modest apartment bought with their earnings from various Corporations and PMCs.

"Ha, yeah right man, you know I'm a God at these old school games." Chirped up Apollo, the 'techy' of the group, he outfitted the group with all its technology and weaponry.

"Boy, I was playing these things before you were sucking on your ma's tit." Ryan laughed as he fiddled with the black controller he had been handed.

"Hey Apollo, if you were as good at shooting people in real life we'd be living in a bigger apartment." Chimed Laurie, entering the living quaters as the two men bickered.

"I don't recall anyone asking you Sis." Spat her brother, the twins were the younger members of the group, only joining upon the ressurection of Agency X five years ago but already they'd become the heart and soul of the group. Laurie worked as their communications expert and their link to the Corporation's job network.

"That's because you know if you did I'd say that Ryan had the moves." The young woman said with a wink in Cassidy's direction. Ryan chuckled for a moment before doing a small dance with his arms.

"Yeah well if he ever shows you any of those moves I'm going to kill you, both of you." Apollo said, his eye's narrowing in Ryan's direction, stopping the impromptu dance in its tracks. Cassidy threw his hands up in a mock form of surrender.

"Someone's a little over protective." Called Alex Hayden as he sat in the office next door, sat at a desk. In his glory years Alex Hayden was a top-price Mercenary before he was subjected to a HYDRA weapon that caused him to put on mass amounts of weight. It had taken him most of his time to get back down to his original size. "But I can't have two of my guys murder each other over whether you get to bone his sister or not."

"Relax Hayden." Shouted Deadpool, "I wouldn't dream of it." He added before returning the wink to Laurie. "Well... I might dream of it."

"Well when you're done day dreaming 'boyo' we got a job to do."

"No ****? Who's our most generous employer?" Ryan asked, reaching for the red and black mask on the table in front of him.

"Worthington's again, still trying to make believe they're one of the bigger corporations." Alex answered, chuckling somewhat.

"Worthington? Come on man you know they don't pay ****." Apollo contributes, looking up from the very important game infront of him. "And let me guess, it's another 'mutant unrest' deal?"

"Right on the money." Laughed Hayden as he entered the room handing Ryan a datadisc. "All the information's on there, I suggest you guys go over the details while I get the gear. This Worthington group sure love their muties."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Tyler Stone sat in his darkened, penthouse of an office, the light of the holographic projection of a computer screen bathing both he and his desk in an eerie blue light. The skyline of upper New York City shone brightly behind him as hovering vehicles raced past on the airways. Throughout the passing of the years, one thing remained constant. This was still a city that never sleeps.

A beeping indicating somebody standing outside his office door got Tyler's attention.

"Come in", he said without taking his eyes from the reports in front of him.

"Evenin', Mr. Stone."

It was Venture, the cybernetic bounty hunter and captain of the infamous Public Eye, Alchemax's elite fighting force.

"Mr. Venture", Stone smiled like a devil, "you're earlier than expected."

Pressing a button on his desk, the holographic display vanished. Stone leaned back in his plush chair as the Cyborg, dressed in wild west garb, methodically walked towards him.

"Round up went quicker than expected. Got all the punks corralled and headin' to the pens 'fore supper."

"Nicely done, Venture. See to it that all the activists go through the re-education process and are returned to their respective homes. Those who are too unruly and unwilling to cooperate..."

"Well", Stone smirked, "we can't have loose ends now, can we?"

"Not a problem, boss", replied Venture with a tip of his hat.
"If there's nothin' else, I'll be gettin' to it."

"Yes, go see to the detainees. Wouldn't want them getting lonely now", Stone chuckled.

As Venture left the room, Stone stood up from his chair and moved to the window. With his hands clasped behind his back, Tyler looked out onto his world, his New York.

His monumental skyscraper stood out among the hundreds of other buildings built above the remains of the old city below. Standing up here and looking out, he felt like a god peering down from Olympus. Watching the common folk wandering about in their daily lives as if their existence meant something.

Looking at his watch, Tyler saw that he was late for his meeting with Professor Bernardson. Gerald would not be happy waiting, but he would live with it. Stone was the man in charge, and he arrived whenever he please. And there was nothing Gerald Bernardson could do to change that.

With a final glance to the city outside, Tyler turned and left his office, heading to the R&D department.

 

[SuperFerret]

I can’t die.

That’s not to say that I haven’t tried. I was born over a hundred years ago and it seems like I’ve tried every method of ending my life, not all of them voluntary. Shooting. Explosions. Drowning. Falling. Burning. Stabbing, cutting, lacerating. Hell, I’ve even tried being eaten (that was not fun). Nothing stuck for very long.

Except for that “cataclysm” thing.

And even that wasn’t for long, which is all for the best I guess. The afterlife is a nice place to visit, but I’d never want to live there, so to speak. I wandered the world, watching how it’s fallen apart without its heroes, my heart bleeding for it. I’ve wanted to help, but with my powers, all it’d take is a bullet to stop me, and then they’ll give me that mutant “cure”. I don’t know if it works on me, but I don’t want to find out.

“I need a team.”

“What was that Craig?” Peter Parker, used to be the Spider-Man I knew, now he serves Oblivion as Deathurge, gathering spirits to bring to the afterlife. Luckily, like the other D’urges, he’s able to hang out with me. My one last tie to the old world, the way things should be.

“I said I need a team. To be effective, y’know.” I look to him, into the white spaces that pass for eyes on that black mask of his. He nods, silently. “You’ve heard the stories I have. Hell, you’ve seen them with all that soul-retrieving you do.” I laugh, “We always stood among death, didn’t we?” I ask rhetorically as I walk through my home, an abandoned (and well hidden) sub-basement of the old Avenger’s mansion in New York.

“What’re you saying?”

“I’m saying,” I pull the top off of a box I hid here years ago, lifting it’s only content, “that the world sucks. Without the heroes, evil went unchecked. The good guys disappeared, but the bad guys stuck around.” I look at the disc in my hands, the dim light reflecting off of it’s red, white and blue surface. “I’m saying…”

“…that we finally have something to Avenge.”

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Sigurd grunted as he rolled on the concrete. Regaining his balance, Sigurd began to sprint down the side of the old road as laser blasts whizzed by overhead.

Two men in powered armor bearing the TRXTR Universal logo came rushing over the edge of the rooftop and leaping onto the street below. The soldiers rushed after Sigurd as he ducked into an old, run down hotel.

Sigurd looked around, trying to figures something out.

"Come on, fool. Think!"

The laser blasts began to pour through the door, and Sigurd darted through the lobby and up the stairs to the second floor.
The two soldiers burst through the door, hot on Sigurd's heels.

"You're screwed, Jarrlson! Just surrender and save yourself the pain!"

A large piece of rebar rocketed into one of the guards, impaling the surprised man through his stomach.

"You were saying something about pain", Sigurd smirked as the guard fell to his knees, dying.

"Mother ****er!"

The guard opened fire, and a hail of laser bolts came at Jarrlson. Sigurd dove through a door and into a nearby suite. He crawled on his hands and knees into the kitchen and away from the laser bolts. Standing up, he found a large, old chef's knife that still looked new. Sigurd smiled as he picked the blade up.

The guard rushed in through the door way like a headstrong fool, and the blade easily found his throat.
Grabbing the dying man's weapon, Sigurd fired a single shot into the soldier's skull, stopping his squirming forever.

Rushing out of the hotel, Sigurd froze as over a dozen armed men had their weapons trained on him.

"Give it up, Sigurd", came a familiar voice.
The crowd of soldiers parted allowing a man in night black battle armor entry. The armor was sleek, the claws glinting in the moon light as the man strode forward. The helmet of the armor looked like a fierce wolf, and, with a hiss, the helmet instantly retracted neatly folding into the neck piece.

"It's been a while", smiled Skurge as he cracked his neck.

"Not long enough", Sigurd's eyes narrowed as he spoke to his former Captain. Skurge was the leader of the Fenris Wolfpack, TRXTR Universal's elite recon unit. Mostly made up of psychos with little to no morality, Skurge was the worst of them all. Nicknamed "The Executioner" for the way he brutally and methodically murdered his opponents, Skurge was not a man to be toyed with.

"End this foolishness, boy. Just throw down your weapon and come peacefully."

"Like a oblivious lamb to the slaughter? I think not, Executioner. I've seen first hand what happens to prisoners under your watch."

Skurge smirked at hearing his "name" mentioned.

"What can I say? I'm a man who takes pride in his job."

"But, if you want to do this the hard way", Skurge said as he activated his comm link.

"Send him in."

A faint whistling sound could be heard from the skies above.

"Should've done this the easy way, Sigurd. Fall back!"

The whistling sound grew louder as the soldiers turned and fled the scene. Skurge turned around and watched as the weapon dropped like a bomb into the ground only a few meters in front of Sigurd.

The force of the impact shattered windows and cracked buildings, and sent Jarrlson flying backwards and skipping off of the pavement.

Sigurd groan and spat a wad of blood from his mouth as he turned to see what it was that hit.

As the smoke and dust began to clear, Sigurd saw a massive mechanical figure slowly moving towards him from the haze.

"Don't want to deal with me, fine", Skurge stated from behind the silent monstrosity.
"Say hello to Ulik. And he's nowhere near as nice as I am."

 

[Byrd Man]

St. Mary's Church
Hell's Kitchen

"In the name of the father, son, and holy ghost. Go forth with God's blessing." I say to the dozen parishoners as they start to slowly file out of the pews.

Through the stained glass windows I can see the sun starting to set as the evening mass comes to a close.

I come down from the podium and speak with a few of the church members.

In the three years I've been at St. Mary's, I've slowly watched as the numbers dwindle with each passing month. I'm not sure if it's my teachings, or the fact that faith is something that is hard to come by these days.

I don't dwell on these thoughts too long. Mostly because, as a man who is already losing his faith, how can I question the faith of others? Every night I put on that costume it feels as if I have taken the lord's name in vein.

I may be condeming my soul, but my actions are working. In the months since this terrible idea came to me, I have seen my actions inspiring the people that live in these slums.

I wait until everyone is gone, Mrs. Requer is the last to leave as she pushes her walker out the door.

"See you tomorrow."

She smiles as the door closes behind her. Moving quickly, I lock the church's front door and head towards the church's rectory. Night is quickly approaching, and evil comes out at night.

********************​

Preston Carr is one of the Kingpin's top drug lieutenants. Every Thursday he comes to 212 Avalon, Apartment 12 and takes the latest shipment of their drugs, cutting it down and getting it ready for the street.

"So, like I'm saying. This girl was so fine, she wanted to suck my dick from the back!" Carr says with a laugh.

I'm outside the window, listening in as he and four others joke and work on the shipment.

Every night for the past three weeks, I've been shadowing Carr and watching his every movement.

"You think it's true what they be saying about Wee-Bay?" One of the men asks Carr.

"Please, Bay had to be smoking the rock if he thinks that some devil mother****er grabbed him and snatched him downtown."

I take a deep breath and form the sign of the crucifix in the air.

Dear lord, please make my feet swift and agile, so that I may better serve you.

Pulling out the billy club, I crash through the window a growl.

"OH ****!" One of them yells as I strike him in the face with the club.

The two on both sides of my pull weapons. The one on the left, I take him out with an elbow in the groin, the one on the right feels my boot make contact with his face before he falls unconscious.

Carr stares motionless, still sitting at the table as I leap at him.

"Preston Carr." I say as I crash into him and pin him to the floor.

"You're going to tell me everything about the Kingpin and his organization."

"**** you!" He says as he squirms under my grip.

I punch him once across the face and knock a tooth loose.

"For the love of God, somebody help!"

I chuckle as I hit him again.

"'God'? Don't utter that name in my presence. Now, Preston. Let's talk."

********************​

The sun is coming up as I stand on the waterfront pier.

Preston talked, they all do. It took him longer than Wee-Bay, but he talked.

After reducing the drug dealer to a lump of broken bones and whimpers, I dropped him off at the closest police station.

When Carr and I left the apartment, I took the Kingpin's drugs with us.

That's why I'm down here at the water, with the package in my hands.

For the past few months, I've been trying to get the crime lord of New York's attention.

I toss the drugs into the water, and watch as they dissolve in the harbor water.

Maybe this will get Kingpin looking my way.

 

[Optikal]

Texas

He wasn’t sure how he had gotten there, but somewhere along the endless line of black pavement that stretched across the land, the uniform stretching industrial cities of the Northeast turned into sand and dust, sunsets and mesas. And he liked it. It was his kind of country, open and free, with only the occasional traveller or trucker passing him by as he made his way across the Lone Star State. It was one of the few places left where the glass and steel and technology of the age hadn't scarred the land. It was a small pocket of timeless beauty. The same kind of country his father would have travelled in his youth.

He could be alone when he wanted, and he definitely wanted. He had grown sick and tired of people; he had grown to prefer the company of the little rock lizards and the armadillos instead. And, of course, he could drive, which was what occupied the majority of his time. He’d rev up his bike and speed across the hot stripe of tar like a roadrunner, the scent of Indian paintbrush and gasoline blowing in his face, even bringing the occasional smile to his lips.

When he had gotten tired of driving, or when the sun slipped dramatically into the distant mountains, he would find the nearest bar or diner and tuck in. His ratty brown duster jacket covering him like his own private shield against the world. He would order his usual, depending on how much he had made at the last odd job that he had taken up—and drink, looking out the dusty window at the fading light of the afternoon, the sky splattered with the colors of the sun’s final throes: red, purple, orange. He’d fling his feet up onto the table, with more than a few glares from the presiding waitress, and eventually fall asleep, falling out of notice and into his dreams.

He would board his bike early, the sun still tucked into her bed in the mountains, and head north, toward the wheat fields that were no doubt spread across the Texas panhandle. There, he would help those less endowed with corporate money with the harvesting or the planting or the threshing, depending on the season. His strength of youth was a treasure to those who could not afford the huge green monsters that ate up the fields north of there, and he blended right in with the cheap Mexican labor and poor white boys who didn’t ask any questions. Sometimes they’d even share a beer or two with him, before he’d disappear with his pay down the road again, alone with only his own thoughts and the purr of the motorcycle. He was a kind of mystery to them, like the old Western desperados from the distant past that would breeze through the little gold rush towns, a scowl on their face and a fire in their eye.

This pattern went on for weeks, months…years? He wasn’t too sure of that either, but he wasn’t about to change. He had found where he belonged—he supposed he always knew—and he wasn’t going to leave it for anything. Except, he thought sometimes to himself, he wouldn’t mind having someone to share it with. Of course, he had tried that before. Didn’t ever seem to work out for him, loving people. There was Laura of course, but that was a strange kind of relationship.... Hell, he didn't even know if it was ANY kind of relationship. Maybe that’s why he had come to this dusty wasteland that he now called home: the desert would never die, never leave you. It stuck to your clothes and your hair and lodged itself into your eyes. He loved every minute of it.

Autumn was approaching, he realized, and he figured that now was the time to head back to the ranches, where the owners were preparing to load up their livestock for sales in Montana and Wyoming. He jumped from farm to farm, using his brawn to prod and provoke the stupid animals into their trailers, carrying the calves and secretly placing them next to their mothers. The poor dumb animals didn’t have much time together; soon, they would be pulled away from each other, and he could just hear the lowing screams of the mothers as their babies were yanked to their new homes, and as they themselves were dragged to the slaughter. He wasn’t going to cause them any preliminary pain. When the final cow was loaded, he paused, wiping his brow with a bandana that he had shoved into his back pocket.

“Hey, Oliver!” The farmer’s boy, Andy, yelled at him from across the field.

He ran up to him, hanging over the fence and grinning from ear to ear. A piece of paper was clenched in his little tan fist. Oliver walked over to him and ruffled his sun-bleached hair.

“What is it, kid?”

“Got yer credits!!” The boy waved the card in front of his face, and the grin grew. “Ya want it?”

“What do you think, huh?” He plucked it from Andy’s hand before he could move.

“Ay! That ain’t fair!”

“Life’s not fair. Besides, it’s my money.” He flicked the kid in the forehead and the farmers kid threw a punch, light as a feather, against Oliver’s substantial stomach. “Nice one.”

“Ay, Oliver?” He grunted in response, scrutinizing the credit chip. Not bad, for three day’s work. “Uh, there was a guy lookin’ for you earlier. Looked kinda scruffy. You in trouble or somethin’?”

Oliver had to laugh at that. “Kid, I’m in trouble a lot. Chances are today isn’t any different.” He shrugged it off, but inside he was curious. Who had he pissed off this time? In the back of his mind he wondered if someone had actually come looking for him. He took the credit and flipped it between thumb and forefinger before tucking it into his boot.

“Oliver? You ever gonna come back?” The boy’s brown eyes bubbled with admiration. This was the only part of his job he didn’t like.

“Kid. I gotta get going. Your daddy doesn’t need my help anymore. Somebody else’s does.” Andy’s eyes lowered to the dusty ground, his feet shuffling against it.

“Well, yeah, but…”

“But nothin’, kid!” His voice was too loud, it made the kid jump. He sighed and patted his warm little head. “Look…” He rummaged into his pocket and pulled out a chunk of turquoise: found on the road during one of his thousands of expeditions. “Keep this, alright? Cost you a lot more to buy, huh?” It wasn’t much for a kid, he knew, but maybe someday, when he was a bit older, he’d remember the guy who gave it to him.

“Thanks, Oliver.” He jumped from the fence and headed back to his family’s little farmhouse, and Oliver watched him, dragging his little bare feet in the hot dirt. Sighing, he grabbed his bike, slipped his fathers ancient leather duster jacket over his shoulders, and drove off, not noticing the kid run after him in his dust.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Ulik reached towards Sigurd with it's gun arm and opened fire. The powerful cannon fired a repeated stream of blaster bolts that tore gaping holes into the street.

Sigurd ran for cover, darting behind an old car.

The blaster bolts ripped into the car, and Sigurd knew he had to move.

Focusing himself, Sigurd sprinted down a side street between two building just as the car exploded in a ball of fire.

The building above him exploded, raining debris down onto Sigurd, who was now forced to find cover behind an old dumpster.

A mechanical roar echoed across the buildings as Ulik methodically pursued Sigurd down the side road.

Sigurd ran on as the laser onslaught began again.

Ducking around the other side of the building to his left, Sigurd got into position. Peering around the corner, Sigurd opened fire on Ulik. The laser bolts from his rifle peppered the monstrous cybiote, but the creature paid them no heed as it continued it's advance.

Sigurd turned and ran just as the rocket launched by Ulik smashed into the side of the building. The building shook violently and slowly began to crumble.

Sigurd pushed himself as hard as he could as he barely made it out of the way of the collapsing structure.
Ulik, unfortunately, wasn't as lucky as the entire structure came down on top of it.

The silence was deafening as Sigurd sat down and leaned against the side of old, run down store. He was breathing heavily and out of breath, but Sigurd couldn't help but smile at his fortune.

Suddenly the rubble began to tremble, and an unscathed Ulik burst free and opened fire on a surprised Sigurd.

 

[Carnage27]

Los Angeles, CA
August, 2099

My mother is dead. Killed in a terrorist bombing near the shelter where she volunteered. The terrorist goal was simple: upset the established view on the mutant population and loosen the world's mega corporations hold on the world. I can no longer stand by as my father's company destroys everything I've learned to love.

I am Anthony Edward Stark II, and I am the heir apparent to Stark Industries, the ruling conglomerate of the Western United States.

My grandfather was the great Tony Stark. He was Iron Man. A true hero who sacrificed himself for the good of mankind. A man who stood up for those who could not defend themselves. A man who was every definition of great.

But my father, Ivan Stark, is a truly different kind of animal. Taking over for my grandfather, he reopened Stark Industries' weapons program looking to profit over the void left by the demise of the super hero. My father also took over as Iron Man. But he is no hero. In the years since the Cataclysm, my father has led a great anti-mutant campaign. Death Squads were released into the Western United States, rounding up and imprisoning mutants into concentration camps my father personally hunted down the more dangerous mutants, claiming to make the world a better place.

But little does he know, I've been working on undoing all his grand aspirations. Four months ago, I completed my own suite of power armor, and have been intercepting his squads' targets before they get to them.

But I need to do more. For my mother. For...

A notification goes of in my head that I am receiving a message. I've injected nanobots into my body, connecting me to the world's network, and allowing me to hack into places I'm not wanted. Let's just say it's one of the projects my father doesn't know about.

I check who the message is from.

"Spectre"

I smile to myself. Anna Rasputin, the first mutant I saved as Iron Man, and the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She's been my cohort in crime fighting, as well as...well let's just say Grandpa Tony would be proud.

I open the call up, "When are we meeting tonight?"

"I'll be there soon," I respond. "I've already sent Jarvis to your place, I've got a few more things to iron out here."

"Okay. Be careful flying. I know how you get," she adds in playfully.

"Come on, babe. It's me."

"Babe?" I hear the annoyance in her voice. She hates it when I flirt when we're talking business.

"Hehe. I'll see you soon, Anna," I say ending the call, while simultaneously accessing the plans we've been working on in the past week since mom died. Funds looked to be in order, as well as the construction Jarvis and I had secretly set up through a dummy corporation.

I hope your ready for what you've created, Dad.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

"Come here!" I shout jovially as little Lucas rushes into my arms. The moment I have him in my hands the world feels like the perfect place to be.

I lift him off his feet, his body weighing almost the same as my favorite rifle, and turn circles. He giggles; a soft, childish laugh that warms my heart. I put my nose to his head and take a deep breath of his hair.

I carefully put him down, making sure he doesn't put too much weight on his right foot. The doctors said it would take time for him to fully recuperate, to regain his sense of balance. But I can see him, when he's by himself, trying to walk in a straight line, but always faltering. He's a fighter, like me.

It happened on a sunny day. Cassandra and I both had a day off and decided to take Lucas out for a walk. It would have been the perfect day for us and all the other innocent civilians, if not for the Mutant Liberation Front. The explosion threw Lucas across the street, burning and breaking his leg. Still to this day one of the things I regret the most is deciding against carrying my gun with me on that day. Those mutie bastards would have--

"Gabe?" her voice comes from the kitchen, welcoming and warm. Like home.

"In here, baby."

When she enters the living room it's like all the shadows in it vanish. There's a glow about her, the same as when we first met, that seems to eradicate anything and everything bad.

"I didn't hear you come in." she walks over and plants a kiss on my lips.

"Well, I'm home." I smile and return the kiss. We stand there for a moment, in serenity, before my communicator goes off.

She sighs, a familiar sound. I reach down and read the screen. "It's Hawkeye."

"Of course it is." she rolls her eyes.

We've had this fight before. Too many times before. "Listen, baby.."

"It's okay, just go." she puts up a faltering smile. "I'll save you some dinner."

"Love you." I shout back as I close the door.

 

[Gallagher]

Queens.

"Get on the ground dammit! Don't make me call your mother!" Alex Hayden screamed, pointing the barrel of his pistol at one particularly upset mutant.

"You're all traitors! I've seen you two on the news! You're just like us!" The young man screamed as he was tackled to the ground by a scarlet and black blur.

"Hey!" Shouted Hayden. "He's a mutant, I'm not, long story." He informed the protesting mutant, pointing in Deadpool's direction.

Agency X had been dispatched to calm a mob of angry protestors outside some goverment offices in Queens. When they arrived they had found entire streets crammed to the brim with an angry, tattered mob of mutants.

"Apollo, how's thing on you're end?" Ryan called into his ear piece. The communication device crackled and the voice of his technologically impressive friend came through.

"I had to deploy a mild nerve gas grenade." He explained casually. "Things got a bit too violent for my liking."

"Theres no such thing as too violent and you know it." Ryan chuckled turning back to the few remaining rioters.

"Look, we get what you're protesting, really we do, hell we even agree with ya, you shouldn't be treated as second class citizens. Unfortunately, we don't make the rules. Now **** off back to your slums or I'm going to bring out the twins." Deadpool threatened, reaching for the two katanas attatched to his back.

Before anything could escalate any further sirens could be heard approaching from the distance.

"See now you have the police involved and you know they're not as gentle as we are, nor are they sympathetic to your cause."

Slowly the paniced mutants dropped their weapons and began to scuttle off as the sirens got closer.

"Well that was fun." Ryan grinned beneath the mask, as the police arrived to take the unconcious mutants away.

"You the mercenaries?" An officer asked Alex, Ryan stopped paying attention and went for a walk around the area. The mutants had really done a number on the surrounding area, cars burnt out, windows smashed. As he wandered through the streets he heard a groan, a downed mutant lay sprawled across the street. The merc casually walked over and squated down next to him.

"Hey pal." He said as the mutant paniced and attempted to crawl away. "Woah there!" Ryan exclaimed, grabbing the mutant by the foot and dragging him closer. "I thought we were going to be friends?"

"You ****ing traitor!" The mutant spat.

"Language sonny-Jim." Deadpool said, wagging his finger and tutting. "There's no need for name calling, we're all mutants here."

"You call yourself a mutant? If you were you'd be out here living in the **** like the rest of us."

Cassidy took note of the complete disgust in the man's face and the contempt in his voice.

"Maybe I got lucky, maybe I worked my arse off to get where I am now."

"Or maybe you're just a murdering bastard that turned his back on his own family."

Ryan switched from jovial to deadly serious in an instant, beneath the mask he felt his face go red.

"You know nothing about my family." Deadpool snarled.

"Your mother was an X-Man, so was your Grandfather. We know about you Cassidy, we know what you're trying to forget. He's going to come for you Cassidy, like he did the rest of the X-Men."

"The X-Men are dead." Ryan put bluntly.

"The original team, sure... But they're an ideal, not an organization. You can't kill an ideal. He'll come."

Deadpool frowned, he had no idea what the young man was talking about, maybe Apollo gassed him a little too much.

"Who?"

The boy laughed, coughing through the laughter.

"We'll take it from here, Merc." Ryan had not noticed the law enforcement officer that had been standing behind him until now.

"Sure."

Cassidy took one last look at the young mutant and left, back to join his teammates.

 

[Carnage27]

California Airspace

My suit and I speed silently through the California night sky, cloaking device active and hiding me from the prying eyes of my father's patrols. I pass over the sprawling metropolis that is Los Angeles. In the years following the Cataclysm, urban sprawl ran wild, and mega cities popped up all over the globe. Living conditions in the upper parts of the cities is comfortable, almost bordering on luxury, for those that can afford it that is.

The undercity is a completely different story. Crime, poverty, disease, and despair run rampant. The laws of Darwin are king, not even the Security Squads venture into those dark places.

It doesn't take me long until I'm soaring over one of the many shanty towns that dot the map. It's debatable whether these poor souls lives are better than those in the undercity. They've got more space, but disease is more prevelent, and supplies are scarce.

I land silently outside one of the bigger houses in the slum. I've set Anna up in a fairly nice place. The outside may look like a shack, but the inside has running water, electricity, and comfortable furnishings.

I punch in a code on the hidden seurity pannel by the front door, and I hear the electromagnetic locks give way. I open the door slowly, and there sitting on the two couches is Anna, her pet dragon Lockheed curled up next to her, along with my cybernetic butler, Jarvis.

I exit my suit and Anna embraces me in a warm hug, planting a kiss on my lips, "I'm glad you got here safe."

"Come on, it's me," I say in a trademark cocky tone, flashing my winning smile, which earns me a slap to the head.

"Don't be so arroggant...prick," she adds with a mischevious smile which I return.

"Sir," Jarvis says in his metallic, sythned voice, "I have received word that our...project in the mountains has been completed."

"Great news, Jarvis. Everything is going great it seems."

Anna sits and pets Lockheed, still wearing a worried look, "Except your father. Do you still think he's starting to catch on?"

"No doubt in my mind. He's been 'Iron Man' longer than me. If he hasn't figured it out yet, he soon will. And he might start coming after me himself. Something I don't know if I can handle yet."

"I understan-"

BOOM!

A loud explosion shakes the house, and I rush to one of the monitors that show strategic points in the slum, and they show a lagre group of my father's security personel breaking down doors and raiding houses.

I stand, concentrating hard.

"What are you doing?"

"Hacking into the team's comm channel. Got it. I'll broadcast it through the suit."

"Bzzzzz-Bring any muties you find to the truck. Mr. Stark wants as many as we can get."

"****. This is the last thing we need now," I say getting back into my armor. The faceplate comes over my face and I boot up its protective forcefields.

I see Anna putting on the combat armor I made for her from lightweight adamantium plates. "I'm ready," she says as she disappears in front of my eyes. One of her mutant powers is invisibility, as well as the ability to make her body completely intangible, a trait she received from her grandmother.

"Jarvis, initiate the house's image inducer, and then hide. You'd be recognized to easily. We'll take care of the soldiers."

"As you wish, sir," he replies.

"Spectre," I say over my comm to Anna, "let's get to work."

 

[Catman_prb]

Johnathan ducked under a swung barstool, which connected with the wall and shattered into a dozen splintered pieces.

"I'm telling you man, I ain't a mutant!" he shoutetd as the biker walked towards him.

"I can smell it on ye," he growled, throwing a punch that caused John to step back.

"Maybe you're a mutant? With the power to detect other mutants?" John offered, which was met with a gutteral shout and a fist.

John punched the biker in the jaw as he followed through. The big man crossed his eyes, blinked stupidly and then slowly keeled over onto the floor.

"I swear, I thought he was never going to go down," he said triumphantly. The rest of the bar glared at him angrily.

"Or I can just leave? I'll just leave,"

Johnathan staggered out of the bar, wiping the blood from his split lip.

"Very impressive," a voice muttered from the alleyway, dripping in sarcasm.

"Sarah? How unlike you to visit so far into my inner sanctum," Johnathan muttered darkly.

"Well Johnny, how could I stay away?" Sarah Rasputin asked as she emerged from the shadows.

"What do you want?" John asked in a voice that hinted at how tired he was.

"I'm here to tell you; we don't need any more refugees," Sarah said.

"What?" John asked, puzzled.

"Don't send them our way any more," Sarah said, turning around and starting to walk away.

"What? You're just cutting us off?" he shouted after her.

"Pretty much,"

"So, what, am I ever going to see you again?" he asked.

"No,"

 

[Optikal]

He flipped the communicator closed and reclined back. His partner would here soon enough.

Akira leaned forward and tapped a buttons on his desk before reclining back as the hologram display lit up and bathed him in it's soft blue glow. The details flashed by and without reaction he took in each one and memorised it.

Out in the field they had access to all this information at any time they wanted thanks to their comms devices. But Hawkeye liked to memorise the info and focus his full attention on the mission at hand. If he was to ever run into trouble, he'd rather have his bow than a communicator in his hand.

The target was a vigilante disrupting the Kingpins operations. Probably just another wannabe trying to grab a slice of the pie. Well Kingpin paid good money to people like the Enforcers so that the whole pie stayed on his plate.

Hawkeye glanced across the room at his armoury on the wall opposite.

Idly he wondered which arrows would best suit in killing a Daredevil.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Gabriel gave a somewhat disgusted look back as he closed the door behind him, entering the offices of the Enforcers. "Filth."

The Enforcers HQ was situated near Hell's Kitchen and stood out, if anything, because it was actually filthier than the surrounding buildings. A decision the Enforcers felt made sense, seeing as any buildings and houses that were actually clean were almost immediately defaced.

The inside, however, was lush in comparison. "What's up, Akira." he nodded to his partner, removing his brown leather jacket and throwing it onto his desk. He pulled the sleeves on his near-skin tight t-shirt up to his elbows and walked over to Akira's desk.

"What do we got?" he asked, briefly glancing at the hologram display.

 

[Gallagher]

Worthington Tower.

The Worthington name was once a respected and powerful one back in the days of Warren Worthington III, the X-Man known as Angel, the family company had grown large and had it's fingers in every pie imaginable.

Nowadays, thanks to the Worthington name being associated so strongly with the Mutant plight, the company has fallen far from its past hieghts. It still dabbles in pharmecuticals and has a small weapons and R&D department but nothing compared to the bigger corps. It's owner, Warren Worthington IV is the son of the high-flying Angel. Many dismiss his rants and eccentric business decisions on his aging brain, the men at Agency X where among those people.

"The situation was resolved peacefully with no casualites." Alex explains to the aging businessman. "The law enforcement arrived not long after we did to apprehend the more... unstable protesters. But they were mostly subdued by the time they arrived."

The old man seemed pleased with the report and put a hand on Alex's shoulder.

"I have to thank you, I know it's not right for me to get involved with this but I still have friends in the mutant community and I'd rather the protests be broken up by someone I can trust to-"

Worthington was interrupted suddenly by the raised hand of Deadpool.

"Yeah save the thank you's we just want the credits ta."

"Of course, of course." Worthington muttered. "The money will be transferred first thing tomorrow morning."

With a very lazy salute, the scarlet mercenary and his mentor turned and left the aging Worthington in his office.

"Never again Alex." Ryan complained as the two made there way to the elevator.

"Oh come on kiddo, it wasn't that bad. Sure it was boring, you didn't get to kill anybody and the pay was bad but hey, at least we... Uh... You know there actually wasn't an upside to this mission. You're right. Never again."

Ryan laughed as he put an arm on his mentor's shoulder, the man who once believed himself to be Wade Wilson, Alex Hayden.

"Tell Laurie to get us somethin' interestin' next time."

As soon as the words had left the Merc's mouth his comm device beeped.

"Speak of the devil." He said whilst pressing a hand to his ear. "Hey beautiful."

"Apollo is going to kill you, you know that? If I see him sneak into your room with a pillow one night I'm not going to save you." The voice of Agency X's glorified secretary chimed through as Ryan chuckled to himself.

"Ah I can handle your brother, he's just a nipper. What you got for us?"

"Well, Ivan Stark wants to see you."

This brought the two men to a halt as they exchanged glances of wonderment.

"The Ivan Stark? Billionaire, Iron Man, Ivan Stark of Stark Industries?" Alex asked, clearly taken aback by such a high profile client.

"It's about time."

 

[Catman_prb]

The headmaster's room of the Westchester School of Higher Learning contained five students and Nathaniel Essex. He made a great show of sitting behind his desk, apparantly deeply involved in some ancient book. He continued reading until all the students had gathered, at which point he slammed the book shut with a bang that made all of them jump, save the goth girl with red hair, who merely smirked at the group. He smiled at the children gathered around him.

"I am sure that the majority of you are astute enough to know why you are here," Essex said genially.

"You're going to make us the New X-Men," the goth girl said, looking very bored. Essex smiled.

"Indeed. And I assure you Susannah, if you ever read my mind again, and I will know, I will take...appropriate action," he said warmly. What little colour the girl had in her cheeks drained rapidly.

"Why us?" the eldest boy asked, frowning.

"Because Harry, I deem you suitable. It is very rare that I would make such a vital mistake and I am sure that you will not let me, and the mutant race, down," Nathaniel said evenly.

"So who's going to lead the 'X-Men'?" Harry said, leaning back in the plush chair of the office.

"Why, I will of course," Nathaniel said, showing a lot of teeth with his smile. The boy blinked.

"Don't you think you're a bit old?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"No," Essex said, all warmth vanishing from his voice. He sat back in his chair slightly so that he could view all five of his X-Men "You have all fought in the Danger Room, alone and together, and I have deemed your performance...unacceptable. You will each receive files on your team mates and yourselves, detailing your strengths and weaknesses and where you can make improvements. You will start running drills from this afternoon until I say so. Do you understand?"

There was a chorus of 'Yes Professor Essex' from the X-Men. He looked at a smallish child with an overly large cranium and wire-framed glasses.

"Timothy, designated Brains. The power to absorb any information and to then implement it for a given amount of time," Essex said, handing the boy a stack of files.

The next boy was hunched over in the chair, almost twice the size of Essex and covered in a heavy set of muscles.

"Robert, designated Ox. Almost unlimited strength in the field," he said, giving the boy his papers, which had carefully had all long words removed.

The girl to Ox's left was startlingly pretty, with long shimmering brown hair. She gave the Professor a wink as she took her files.

"Hannah, designated Siren. The ability to co-erce weaker minds through mental projection,"

Essex's gaze turned to the goth girl, Susannah.

"Susannah, designated Marvel. Alpha-level telepathic and telekinetic ability,"

Finally Nathaniel looked at the eldest boy, giving him a cool smile.

"Harry, designated Hero. Levels of strength, agility, stamina and senses slightly higher than any peak human. My boy, you're a regular super soldier,"

Essex looked at the five teenagers and smiled, steepling his fingers.

"Know this, my X-Men. I will never lie to you. I will never betray you. I will co-ordinate you, instruct you and help you to the best of my ability. Your job is a hard one. For the sake of mutants everywhere, you must do what must be done, no matter the cost. And for that, one day, the world will thank you,"

"The last X-Men died," Hero said shortly "All of them. What makes you think we'll do any different,"

"My dear boy," Nathaniel Essex said, smiling a wintery smile "You have me,"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Hello, professor", Stone smiled as he entered the room, startling Gerald Bernardson.

"Mr. Stone", Gerald Bernardson said as he put down the datapad he was scrutinizing onto his desk.

"I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it", he said with a hint of irritability.

"Heavens, no", exclaimed Tyler as he displayed a hurt look.
"I wouldn't miss our little chats for anything, professor. I just got caught up in other business."

"It's not easy being the most powerful man on the planet", Stone smiled like a crocodile, his eyes narrowing.
The professor took the warning for what it was, and quickly lost the attitude.

"I would imagine", Gerald said in passing.
"Now then, I take you've read the latest report?"

"I have, professor. And, I must say, I am pleased with your team's progress."

"Team", Bernardson scoffed.
"A cast of sycophants and hacks is all they are. Only one worth anything is Doctor Thompson. Eugene has been the only one who's shown aptitude for understanding the material."

"Very well, Doctor Thompson promoted to your assistant and the rest of the staff terminated. You'll have a group of replacements ready to go by morning."

"No need", Bernardson said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"We're finished with the machine. All that's left if the genetics portion of the experiment, and Thompson is the only help I need with that."

Tyler nodded, "How soon are you to getting a working formula ready?"

"At least a week or so off", the professor sighed.
"Then we can start harvesting the data and proceed to the final phase."

"Excellent", Stone grinned, "the field teams will be standing by when you're ready to begin."

Tyler Stone turned and walked towards the door to Bernardson's office.
"I want you to keep me up to date, professor. I want progress reports daily."

"And keep up the good work, Gerald", Stone said in the door's archway.
"In a few short weeks, we're going to change the world."

With that, Tyler left the office, the door swishing shut behind him, leaving Professor Bernardson to his work.

 

[Spike_x1]

The Taskmaster

That's what they call me at Alchemax's sub-basement lab in Manhattan. I don't judge the merit of the codename's implications, as I understand that it was also the name of a mercenary in the Heroic Age before the Cataclysm. The mercenary in question had the unique mental and physical ability to perfectly mimic any action that he saw that was within his body's power. Alchemax has articficially given me the same "photographic reflexes," along with the strength to press approximately ten to fifteen tons, and perform any feats of agility that such a level of strength will allow. Of course, I haven't had an opportunity to test out the limits of what I can do, as of this moment. All of the assignments that my User has sent me on for Alchemax so far have been routine assassinations that haven't even come close to actually putting my accumulated skills to the test. If I had any other mindset, I might be perturbed by the boredom, but it doesn't bother me.

Contrary to what some of the staff in the lab think, I do have a mind of my own and can think with an unhindered mind. If my mind weren't under my control and I were unable to think for myself, it would make me far less efficient for my given tasks. My thoughts and actions and simply monitored by the User, and have been for as long as I can remember. It's all I know.

The lower half of my helmet has been retracted as I now sit in the cafeteria and eat a ham & cheese sandwich. No one has ever sat with me, and I can hear the whispers of the laboratory staff as they make jokes about me to hide how intimidated I make them feel.

~Taskmaster.~

As the User's synthesized voice rings through my head, I literally drop my sandwich onto the plate and stand up from the table, and let the lower half of my helmet slide back into place, covering my mouth.

~Report to the armory for weapons. You leave for your next task in one hour.~

 

[Carnage27]

Slums outside Los Aneles

Anna runs through the wall of the house as if it was air, and I head through the front door, "You go up the right. I'll head straight for them."

"Sounds like a plan."

I activate my boosters, and run incredibly fast towards the nearest team of soldiers. All they see is a blue bur as I knock them out with powerful strikes from my repulsor beams.

An alarm goes off in my head, and I spin around, only to be knocked back by an explosion caused by a heat seeking rpg. My shields are depleted by the blast, but still operational.

"So, I finally get to see it with my own eyes," the soldier holding the weapon says. "There really is a mutie loving Iron Man. Well, Mr. Stark is gonna pay a pretty price for your head."

He fires again, but I catch the projectile with one of my newer upgrades, a gravity emitter, and fling it back at him.

"Nice try," I smirk. Then another warning from the suit's tracking systems.

"Spectre."

"Yes, Iron Man?"

"Gunships in bound. Grab 'Jeeves' and head to the safe house."

"What about you?"

"I'll be in contact," I say as my boots blast me into the night sky towards the incoming aircraft.

I check the number of bogeys inbound. Five. I've handled plenty more than that before. I speed right through the middle of their formation, tearing the lead ship in two, sending its flaming wreckage hurtling towards the ground bellow.

Two of the ships get up on my tail, and gain missile locks on me. They let loose their payload, and I release of flare burst that draws the missles' attention, while simultaneously activating my cloaking device.

I push my hands up, and the repulsors bring me to a hovering stop. As the two speed by my, I let go with powerul blasts from both my hands, which send the two crashing into each other.

"Two left," I reassure myself.

But then I hear over the military comm channel, "Break off the attack. I repeat, break off the attack. This order comes from the highests authority."

Dad. That means he might be on his way. Time to get out of here.

I rocket off, the moonlight glistening oover my aromor.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Ulik reached towards Sigurd with it's gun arm and opened fire. The powerful cannon fired a repeated stream of blaster bolts that tore gaping holes into the street.

Sigurd ran for cover, darting behind an old car.

The blaster bolts ripped into the car, and Sigurd knew he had to move.

Focusing himself, Sigurd sprinted down a side street between two building just as the car exploded in a ball of fire.

The building above him exploded, raining debris down onto Sigurd, who was now forced to find cover behind an old dumpster.

A mechanical roar echoed across the buildings as Ulik methodically pursued Sigurd down the side road.

Sigurd ran on as the laser onslaught began again.

Ducking around the other side of the building to his left, Sigurd got into position. Peering around the corner, Sigurd opened fire on Ulik. The laser bolts from his rifle peppered the monstrous cybiote, but the creature paid them no heed as it continued it's advance.

Sigurd turned and ran just as the rocket launched by Ulik smashed into the side of the building. The building shook violently and slowly began to crumble.

Sigurd pushed himself as hard as he could as he barely made it out of the way of the collapsing structure.
Ulik, unfortunately, wasn't as lucky as the entire structure came down on top of it.

The silence was deafening as Sigurd sat down and leaned against the side of old, run down store. He was breathing heavily and out of breath, but Sigurd couldn't help but smile at his fortune.

Suddenly the rubble began to tremble, and an unscathed Ulik burst free and opened fire on a surprised Sigurd.

"What the hell are you", Sigurd asked the question aloud as he ran for cover once again.

So far, Ulik had shrugged off blaster bolts from his assault rifle, and survived a three story building falling on top of it. And all without a scratch.

Sigurd really began to worry now. He was running out of time and options. The thing continued it's steady pursuit of him through the city streets, all the while Sigurd did his best to avoid the torrent of weapon's fire that rained down at him.

A laser bolt tore through his calf, and Sigurd cried out in pain as he collapsed to the ground.
Ulik stopped it's fire as it walked towards the downed Sigurd, it's heavy footfalls shaking the concrete with each step.

The beast reached out with it's clawed hand to scoop up the former Fenris Wolf, and a Sigurd knew then that he was finished.

"Have at thee!"

A man in green leaped down from the building above, his energy blade cutting into Ulik's outstretched hand.
The blade did little damage, but it did cause the creature pause.

"Don't worry, friend", he spoke to Sigurd, "we're here the help."

Ulik growled as it turned it's attention towards the newcomer, allowing the massive red head time to rush up to the monster and slam into it.

"By the All-Father, you are a heavy beast!"

A third fighter, one with with an power staff came up behind Ulik.

The warrior thrust the staff into Ulik's back, causing the creature to crackle with orange energy. Breaking the blade off into Ulik's back, the third warrior ran up to Sigurd and helped him up.

"Quickly! We don't have much time before his sensors reboot!"

"Aye, we definitely should be making a hasty retreat!"

The three warriors grabbed the injured Sigurd and took him away from the damaged monstrosity.

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

Ulik scanned the area, it's powerful sensors picking up the residual heat signatures left by their fleeing footprints.
Slowly, the monstrosity took up the pursuit once again.

"Yes, sir", Skurge spoke over the comm link.
"No, sir...yes, sir. Ulik has picked up their trail and we're following it now."

"It was one of the rebel factions, sir. Part of the church. Don't know who, just yet, but we're going through Ulik's recorded data as we speak."

"Yes, sir, I'll let you know as soon as we have any new information."

The comm channel shut off and Skurge turned to his squad.

"All right, boys! Let's move it on out!"

The troops silently fell in line behind Skurge and Ulik as the hulking behemoth led them on the trail of the fugitive, Sigurd Jarrlson...

 

[Optikal]

Gabriel gave a somewhat disgusted look back as he closed the door behind him, entering the offices of the Enforcers. "Filth."

The Enforcers HQ was situated near Hell's Kitchen and stood out, if anything, because it was actually filthier than the surrounding buildings. A decision the Enforcers felt made sense, seeing as any buildings and houses that were actually clean were almost immediately defaced.

The inside, however, was lush in comparison. "What's up, Akira." he nodded to his partner, removing his brown leather jacket and throwing it onto his desk. He pulled the sleeves on his near-skin tight t-shirt up to his elbows and walked over to Akira's desk.

"What do we got?" he asked, briefly glancing at the hologram display.

Akira glanced up at his partner and flashed him a wry smile. "Juggernaut is off out of the city on another job so it'll just be the two of us on this one. On the plus side, we've got a huge pile of credits and a long vacation if we pull this job off".

He rose and moved past Gabriel to the wall armoury, pulling off a variety or arrows and sliding them into a quiver. "Seems the Kingpin has been having a bit of trouble with some dude calling himself 'Daredevil'. He's been disrupting business for the big man, taking out his goons, destroying merch and generally making something of a name for himself. Apparently he's got the mongrels all running scared so we've been called in".

He glanced over his shoulder at his partner, who merely grunted and folded his arms, taking in the info. Hawkeye turned back to his task and clipped a knife to his left gauntlet. "Intel is sketchy so I'm not sure whether he's meta, mutant or human. All I know is that we'll find him in the Kitchen and the Kingpin is very keen that we take care of business".

Two pistols clipped to leg mounted holsters. An assault rifle sat next to the quiver on his back and his other tools all clipped into place. Hawkeye turned back to the Punisher and grinned. "Hope you're not scared of the dark Gabe, because this goon only comes out to play at night".

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Two pistols clipped to leg mounted holsters. An assault rifle sat next to the quiver on his back and his other tools all clipped into place. Hawkeye turned back to the Punisher and grinned. "Hope you're not scared of the dark Gabe, because this goon only comes out to play at night".

"On the contrary." Gabriel smiled, taking one last glance at the hologram file on the mysterious Daredevil. "I like to think I do my best work when the lights go out."

"Doesn't much matter if the guy's human or not. By the end of tonight he'll be a stain on the sidewalk." the Punisher assured his partner, walking over to an opposite wall. At chest-height a small pad a variety of numbers and symbols was attached to the wall, and Gabriel quickly entered the pass code.

With a whir, the wall slid upwards into the ceiling, revealing a small storage space beyond. Like in the armory, numerous gadgets and smaller were pinned to the wall, but they were arranged, almost like a shrine. Gabriel stood and stared into the black, empty eyes looking right back at him. The chalk-white skull adorning his armored vest was the last thing many people saw in this life. Tonight, one more would be added to the count.

"Now, when you say 'huge pile of credits'..." Gabriel smiled, reaching out and pulling the body armor off it's place on the wall.

He wasn't going to pretend to like working for the Kingpin. A man who, if you asked Gabriel, was no better than the scum the Enforcers spent their time cleaning from the city. Only difference being the Kingpin was smart enough to get into bed with the Corps, cut them a piece of the profits. If the Punisher had any say in the matter, it wouldn't be long before the Kingpin joined the Daredevil in taking a dirt nap.

 

[The Mighty Thor]

The assault began at 8:03 AM exactly.

Doom had employed his sorcerous acuity to determine the Saviour Corp. facility's weakest point in its expansive shedule; it was a small cog in the organisation's vast machine network across Latveria, but it was still heavily manned and guarded. Even with his own miniature army beside him, he thought it wise to possess the tactical advantage when he launched his strike. Peering into his makeshift scrying pool in their current refuge of a tiny mountainside cavern for a sold twenty-four hours had enlightened him as to the base's security timetable. It had taken another day to rally the troops and formulate a working battle plan. The strategy meeting had been brief but thick with tension - for all their power and skill, Doom found his soldiers burdened by stress and exhaustion, as well as their own petty problems that he had no intention to take into consideration. For the most part, they all understood this and tried to separate their personal aggravations from their 'professional' business. But there were a few who did not adhere to this principal, and Doom found himself growing increasingly irritated with them. If he didn't require their help in retaking his nation, he would kill them without a second thought.

The most regular offender in this regard was Everett Astrovik, the pyrokinetic codenamed Blaze who, while being admittedly deadly, was far too headstrong and obsessed with his own wellbeing for Doom's liking. He had struck up a relationship with one of the female troops when he had first been recruited, and had become increasingly agitated since her untimely death. Doom had not given her loss a second thought - she was nothing but a distraction to one of his key pawns. Blaze, however, had taken it hard and had become embittered, often daring to interrupt his leader. The other metahumans under Doom's command were less trouble to his authority: Legacy, the daughter of the legendary Captain America and his SHIELD lover, was a noble warrior who took her orders well; Armor was too wisened and experienced to doubt her commands now; and Beast, the second man to bear the name, was only a nuisance because of his constant wisecracking. They were an efficient fighting force if not a perfect one, an unlikely set of allies drawn together by their metallic master and a combined hatred of the Corporate Age that had consumed them all.

Their strike at the Saviour Corp. facility that morning proved to be just as effective as all the others. Blaze led the way, burning the group a path into the back of the building. From there, Beast, Armor, and the dozen footsoldiers engaged the rabble that were beneath Doom's attention while he, accompanied by the flaxen-haired Legacy, passed this battle by and slipped into the control room.

"Here we are, Victor," Legacy announced, her voice startling the few scientists that lingered in the room. The guards that remained were less surprised and dived in front of the white-coated experts, their weapons levelled at the intruder.

Doom cast out his hands. Energy sprayed outwards from his gauntlets, tendrils casually blasting away the guards and then lashing out at the scientists. He took no pleasure from killing such insignificant ones, but he was not about to leave them alive either. "Kneel before Doom!" he bellowed as they crumpled into corpses. "Fools. Let us rid Latveria of this part of the Saviour Corp. abomination, my follower."

"I follow your orders because I think they're the fastest way to bring Saviour Corp. down. I'm not your follower." Her gaze burned into him before she launched herself across the room in a display of cat-like agility and landed before the main computer bank.

"On the contrary, you function under my whims, Legacy. Do not forget that I am in control here," Doom replied calmly, his suit's propulsion system carrying him to her side. "Now stand aside so that I may work." Behind his mask, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he reached out and placed his hand against the machine. Slender cables extended from his wrist and locked themselves into the computer, and a second later, the screen began to flash as images rushed by at a breathtaking pace. After a few moments, it stopped on a red panel that read:

ACTIVATE SELF-DESTRUCT
PASSWORD NEEDED​

Doom cocked his head to the side and felt his technopathy reach out across the circuit boards and wires, commanding them to deliver him the password. ACE27R. He nodded, and the combinnation of letters and numbers popped up on the screen, followed by a message informing them that the self-destruct procedure had begun.​

A grim smile contorted his scarred face. "I believe that is our cue to leave."​

 

[Spike_x1]

Why do I fight? Why did this man have to die by my hand?

I look down at the dead man hunched forward on his desk. I crushed his windpipe with a mere flick of my wrist before he even had time to recognize me as a threat, and now he's dead. And I don't know why. The User told me where and when I would kill him, and I did. This is the sixth time that the User has dispatched me to murder Alchemax's own employees. They never tell me why, but I can only assume that I was sent because they were selling corporate secrets, talking to reporters, or because they asked for a raise. At first I wasn't the least bit curious, but after going through the motions of this for the sixth time, the question of Why began itching so suddenly that I couldn't stop myself from thinking it, which was quickly met with my User's answer.

~...Because your User said so.~

I have read about and witnessed many humans and their emotions, so I know that most of them would only be made even more curious by such a non-answer, but for some reason, the User's response is enough to quell my curiosity. I could detect concern in my User's digitized voice, though. Perhaps I wasn't supposed to ask such a question?

"Intriguing," I say as my eyes move across the office and notice that the fingerprint scanner on the file cabinet has been tampered with. Anyone less astute than I probably would not have noticed the impressions around it that were obviously left behind by an intruder, at a time when the office's owner obviously wasn't around to lend his own authentic fingerprint, either forcibly or voluntarily.

~What is it?~ asks the User in my head.

"Someone was here before I was, and stole something from the file cabinet."

~Frak. Return to base, TM. Your Task is complete.~