Rise of Marvels: 2099 Edition IC Thread

[Johnny Blaze]

"Wake up, dog", cried the guard as he splashed freezing water into Sigurd's face.

Sigurd slowly came around, groaning and spitting out a wad of blood onto the floor. His eyes slowly adjusted to the bright light bearing down on him in of the cold, metal dungeon in which he resided.
His slowly turned his sore neck to look at his hands as they were stretched out wide, chained to far ends of the ceiling that kept him from sitting down. Stripped naked, he was the only one in the small room save for the pair of guards and Skurge.

"Was wondering when you'd come too", Skurge smirked.
"You lead me on quite the chase, Sigurd."

"Lost a lot of good men trying to hunt you down", the Fenris pack leader scowled as he moved in close to him, punching Sigurd hard in the face.

"Skurge!"

The Executioner straightened up and turned towards the room's shadows.

"That's no way to treat a guest", a skinny blond man in a business suit said as he stepped out of the shadows.

"Sigurd", the man grinned as he stalked towards the chained prisoner, "so good to see you again."

"You really shouldn't have run off", he states as he stares Sigurd right in the eyes.

"Liesmith...", Sigurd grunts in disgust.

"In the flesh", Lars Liesmith chuckles.
"You left so suddenly, Sigurd...we didn't even have a chance to talk. And I so very much wanted to talk to you."

"But now I'm excited to see we have that chance. So, please", Liesmith grabbed Sigurd hard be his hair.

"Tell me about your dreams", Liesmith snarled.

Sigurd spat a wad of phlegm in Lars' face. Liesmith scowled as he took a few steps back and wiped the spit away.

"If that's how you want to do this...", Liesmith said with an evil grin as emerald lightning danced from his fingertips.
"I was hoping you'd be difficult."

Skurge slowly exited the room as the fireworks began, the screams of Sigurd echoing briefly throughout the hallway until the soundproof door shut behind him.

 

[Optikal]

The explosion damn near blinds me and rubble rains over us. I cover my face with my arm before immediately dropping to one knee and steadying the rifle on it. "Come out, come out, devil."

A red, moving mixture of a shadow and a blur darts between to buildings and I give the trigger four firm squeezes. Rifle fire punches into buildings but the blur easily evades it.

"You sure this guy is completely human?" I shout over to Akira. This Daredevil guy is faster than any human I've ever seen.

I look over at the building that is slowly crumbling apart from Hawkeye's explosion and say a silent prayer that it looks to be abandoned. We're here for the devil and I'm not going let innocent bystanders die in the process. "That little stunt of yours is gonna bring some real heat down on us." I turn to Hawkeye, keeping my rifle leveled. Security forces are no doubt on their way right now. Those amatures aren't a problem for me and Akira; hell, the Kingpin probably has them on his payroll, too. But the moment more people join this party, there's no doubt in my mind the Devil will make his exit.

"We gotta take him down and do it fast."

Akira nodded grimly and levelled his bow in the direction the blur went. As he tracked across the landscape, a billy club smashed the bow from his hands. Akira spun and ducked a punch. The Devil was right there on him. Hawkeye leapt back and threw a small knife aimed at the chest of the Devil but the man in red leaned back and watched it sail harmlessly by.

The Devil flew in and landed a hard kick to Akiras face, knocking him backwards. Hawkeye blocked a punch and landed one of his own, following up quickly with a knee to the guy and a fist to the back of Daredevils head.

He grabbed for a pistol and aimed it at the fallen Daredevil. "Stay down" He growled.

The Daredevil looked up and smiled. "I don't think so" he snarled as he jabbed a stiff kick to the indise of Hawkeyes knee before following up with a swift uppercut. Hawkeye flew back with the force, landing painfully on the back of his head.

Where the hell are you Gabe? he thought.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

The Daredevil looked up and smiled. "I don't think so" he snarled as he jabbed a stiff kick to the indise of Hawkeyes knee before following up with a swift uppercut. Hawkeye flew back with the force, landing painfully on the back of his head.

Where the hell are you Gabe? he thought.

I see Hawkeye crash down onto his back, his head slamming down against the curb. The Devil stands over him, ready to deliver what I guess is the final blow, and I let the rifle drop to my side. With speed that comes from years of training, I draw the pistol strapped to my leg from it's holster and take aim.

It's as good a shot as any that I've taken. There's minimal wind, nothing between me and my target. The bullet leaps from my gun, zooming down the street towards Daredevil. But the bastard is quick. He leaps out of the way, but the sound of my bullet hitting flesh still brings a smile to my face. "Got him."

I make mad dash towards where Akira lies on the ground, only to find that the Devil is gone. Nowhere to be seen. "You okay?" I ask Akira, keeping my eyes and my gun trained on my surroundings.

But I know. The Devil is gone. For the first time in a long time, The Punisher and Hawkeye didn't finish a job.

 

[Optikal]

Hawkeye rolls to his stomach and pulls his knees up under himself. He can feel the warm blood seeping down the back of his neck from where bone met concrete. He looked around, his vision swiming a little. "Ugh. I'm fine man. Did we get him?"

He knew the answer that was coming already. What he didn't know however was how they were going to tell the Kingpin that for the first time in a long time, The Enforcers couldn't finish the job. He turned to Gabe and tried to smile. "You know, if we survive telling the Kingpin that we f-cked up, we are so getting wasted".

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Hawkeye rolls to his stomach and pulls his knees up under himself. He can feel the warm blood seeping down the back of his neck from where bone met concrete. He looked around, his vision swiming a little. "Ugh. I'm fine man. Did we get him?"

He knew the answer that was coming already. What he didn't know however was how they were going to tell the Kingpin that for the first time in a long time, The Enforcers couldn't finish the job. He turned to Gabe and tried to smile. "You know, if we survive telling the Kingpin that we f-cked up, we are so getting wasted".

I laugh.

I just failed to finish a job and the man who hired me for said job is almost definitely going to want me dead. But still, I laugh.

"You ****ing idiot." I reach down and grab Akira's hand, lifting him to his feet. "I don't care if he does kill us, after that, we're still getting wasted. Now, let's get out of here before we're swamped with Security."

 

[Spike_x1]

Tyler kept himself calm throughout Miguel's little rant. When O'Hara finally finished, Tyler sat back in his chair.

"Resign", Stone frowned.
"Are you sure that's what you really want to do? You're obviously under a lot of stress, Mike. Maybe you should take a week off to clear your head?"

"No way, Ty. This is it." I wave off any pretentious facade of Tyler's humanity and cross my arms over my chest. "I know you won't have me killed the way Jackson was. You couldn't live with yourself if you let my brilliant brain go to waste, just in case my judgment is ever impaired somewhere down the line, and I decide to forgive you and come back to the company."

Overly anxious, my hands stuff themselves into my pockets in a huff and I shake my head, still almost in a state of disbelief over what's happened and what I'm doing. "I'm no threat to you, Ty. Just let me go my own way."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Tyler sat quietly in his chair for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

"All right, Mike", he said reluctantly.
"You want out? Fair enough. I can release you from your contract, but the agreement you signed not to divulge any of Alchemax's secrets still stands."

Stone stood up from his seat, and walked over to the side wall of his office.

"If you'd like, I can write you a letter of recommendation if you plan to sign up with one of the other Corps? Although I still think you should just take some time off to get your head on straight. Either case, this is a special occasion for you."

Tyler pressed a button on the wall, and a small bar of liquors and wine spun out from it's hiding place.
Grabbing an old bottle of a chardonnay, Tyler poured two small glasses.

"A new beginning for both you, and, unfortunately, for Alchemax as well", Tyler said sadly as he walked over to Miguel and handed him a glass of wine.

"We're going to miss you here, Mike. Hopefully you'll see the light and come back to us one day."

"Here's to the future, Mike. May it be bright for both of us", Tyler smiled as he raised his glass for a toast.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The guards tossed Sigurd into the hole in the floor. Falling into a small pool of water, Sigurd was helped to his feet by Fandral as the guards closed the cage door over the hole and sealed it shut.

"Odin's beard", Fandral exclaimed as his eyes looked over Sigurd in the dim light.
He was beaten near to death, nothing but a bloody mess in Fandral's arms.

"Bring him here!"

Fandral brought Sigurd towards Volstagg and the others who huddled together in the room's lone dry corner, a mound of dirt and garbage.

"What did they do to him", Fandral said aloud as he looked down at the still Sigurd.

"What they will do to all of us", Sif replied, "until they get what they want."

"He has the touch of magic on him", Amora stated as she caressed Sigurd's swollen cheek.
"Liesmith did this to him."

"Lars Liesmith", Fandral exclaimed.
"If he is here, then he must be after the hammer. It is the only possible reason."

"Do...not worry", Sigurd said weakly.
"I told...him...nothing...uggh..."

Amora frowned sadly as he cradled the poor Sigurd in her arms, trying to comfort him.

"How can we be sure he didn't?"

"Because", Balder chimed in, "if he had told Liesmith, we all would be dead."

"Yes", Hogun agreed.
"But it is only a matter of time, at this rate."

"Aye, no man, not even the second coming of Lord Thor, can stand up to Liesmith's magic for long."

"Something still puzzles me...how did they know about Hlidskialf?"

"A sound question", Brunhilde added.
"Only the high ranking officials of the Church know of the Hall's location."

"What are you suggesting, Brunhilde?"

"You know what I am suggesting", she frowned at Balder, "we were betrayed. One of us sold us out to that serpent, Liesmith."

The entire dank and dire room fell silent as all eyes looked on each other.

"Impossible", Amora scoffed.
"Why would any of us betray our cause now? When the possibility of victory is so near?"

"Maybe it was you, Amora", Sif looked at the blond woman holding Sigurd with narrow eyes.
"We have been suffering setbacks for some time now. A mole is the only logical explanation. And, like Liesmith, you are a practitioner of magic..."

"Please", Amora rolled her eyes, "so all magic users are allied now, is that it? Surely I thought you brighter than that, Lady Sif."

"Enough."

All eyes turned to Sigurd who groaned as he struggled to his feet.

"It matters not...if there...was a traitor. Not now."

"Now...we need...to concentrate on getting free."

"A difficult task", Balder sighed.
"Especially if there is indeed a traitor in our midst. Any escape attempt would surely be squashed before it could even get off of the ground."

"We have to try something."

"Aye, we stay here, we're as good as dead."

"So...what do we do?"

As the words left the voluminous Volstagg's mouth, the room fell silent once again. Each of them looking to each other, unsure whether they could truly trust the rest of their companions anymore.

And, up in his private study watching the events unfold in the dungeon via an old scrying pool, Lars Liesmith smiled.

 

[Spike_x1]

Tyler sat quietly in his chair for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

"All right, Mike", he said reluctantly.
"You want out? Fair enough. I can release you from your contract, but the agreement you signed not to divulge any of Alchemax's secrets still stands."

Stone stood up from his seat, and walked over to the side wall of his office.

"If you'd like, I can write you a letter of recommendation if you plan to sign up with one of the other Corps? Although I still think you should just take some time off to get your head on straight. Either case, this is a special occasion for you."

Tyler pressed a button on the wall, and a small bar of liquors and wine spun out from it's hiding place.
Grabbing an old bottle of a chardonnay, Tyler poured two small glasses.

"A new beginning for both you, and, unfortunately, for Alchemax as well", Tyler said sadly as he walked over to Miguel and handed him a glass of wine.

"We're going to miss you here, Mike. Hopefully you'll see the light and come back to us one day."

"Here's to the future, Mike. May it be bright for both of us", Tyler smiled as he raised his glass for a toast.

Grimacing, I almost snatch the glass from Stone. I'm planning on going to a little watering hole I know down on Jameson Boulevard later anyway, so I might as well get started on the drinks early. After quickly gulping the alcohol down, I slam the glass onto Ty's desk and turn to leave when I suddenly stagger a little bit. "Wuh-! That's got some kick to it," I say, my speech noticeably a little woozy.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Understandable", Tyler smiled as he poured the contents in his glass out onto the floor.
"Rapture is a potent drug."

 

[Spike_x1]

"Rapture?!" I quickly stumble over to Ty in a fit of fury, and grab him by his shirt. "You drugged me?! You sick, shocking piece of scum! I-I..." My voice trails off as my body seems to begin picking and choosing at random what I tell it to do. My grip on Tyler fails and my knees give out from under me, leaving me to fall to the floor.

I feel my body suddenly soaking with sweat before my arms again fall under my control, and I rub my eyes, trying to focus on Stone's smug grin. "D-Damn you, Stone."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Now, now, Mike", Tyler smirked, "Is that anyway to talk to the main supplier of rapture on the planet?"

"I hear it's a wonderful experience", Stone chuckles as he stepped over Miguel and walked to the bar, pouring himself a glass of old scotch.
"I've heard it's likened to being a puppet. Like you're not in control of your own body. And, in extreme doses, it can cause very realistic hallucinations."

"Don't worry though, Mike. I didn't give you that big of a dose. So, relax and enjoy the high", Tyler smiles as he raises his glass to Miguel and leans on his desk.

"Oh, one more thing", he says after taking a sip.
"I hear it's quite addicting too. To the point where even going without for a day can cause one to experience excruciating pain. And that those that attempt to quit the drug, even with medical help, risk the chance of their body going into shock, causing death."

"So, here's the deal", Stone said as he took another sip and placed the drink down on his desk.
"You go back to work like a good little boy, and I'll make sure you get a fresh, fun-filled vile of rapture in your mailbox first thing every morning."

 

[Spike_x1]

"D-D-" Shock! I can't even get the word out. I've heard the horror stories about rapture for years now, how fighting it like I've been doing will only worsen the symptoms exponentially. But if the user just goes with the flow, it will be a mixture of uncontrolled bewilderment, pleasure, and quite possibly terror as the person's body will essentially go on autopilot as every inhibition is unleashed. And like Tyler said, that inebriated state of mind can also suffer hallucinations if the dose is strong enough.

No, I'm not hallucinating, but I do feel like the walls are echoing and my skeleton wants to jump out of my skin and do a merry jig. I don't interpret those symptoms as good signs.

Don't fight it, O'Hara. Just let it happen... Just let it... Breathe in... Breathe out... Minor control of my legs seem to have come back to me and I struggle to my feet, using Ty's desk as a support. Every breath feels like I'm forcing rainbows out of my throat.

"D-Deal, Tyler." Even through the rapture, a tear manages to roll down my cheek. "Deal."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Tyler Stone smiled.
"Excellent. You're a bright young man, Mike. We at Alchemax are lucky to have you."

"Now", Tyler said as he helped Miguel towards the door.
"If you don't mind, I really have to get back to work. And I'm sure you've got plenty of things on your plate."

"Take care, Mike", Tyler said as he guided Miguel out his office door.

"Oh, and Mike", Tyler called after O'Hara.

"I'm glad we had this talk", Tyler smiled like a shark before turning and walking back towards his desk, the door shutting behind him.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Be ready", Hogun said to the others, his eyes never leaving the portal above them.
"We'll only get one chance at this."

The cover blocking the hole above them slowly slide open, and mechanical staircase descended down from the ceiling. Six armed soldiers marched down, their guns trained on the Thorites.

"Back up! Back the **** up! Now!"

"All right", Baldur said with his hands up, "just take it easy."

Two of the men moved to grab Sigurd, who was slumped wearily against the wall.
As soon as they grabbed him, Sigurd gripped both men by their arms tight, and yanked them towards the wall.
As their heads smashed into the metal, the others exploded into action, pouncing on the guards and beating them to a pulp.

"Let's go!"

They grabbed the soldier's guns and hurried up the staircase. More armed guards were waiting for them, but the sight of the prisoners running free surprised them.
It gave the Thorites just enough time to gun down half of their number before they could muster a counterattack.
Within seconds though, the twelve guards were dead, and only Fandral had been wounded.

"I'll be all right", he said to Sif as she inspected the wound burned into his left shoulder.

"There we are", Amora smiled as she pulled a key card from one of the dead guards. Sliding it through the mechanical necklace she wore, the device beeped and unlocked, falling to the floor.

"Ahhhh", she said as he bit her bottom lip, a wave of magical energy cascading over his body.
"That's much better."

"Can you teleport us out of here?"

"Certainly", Amora smiled. But her smile quickly turned into a frustrating frown.
"Something's wrong. I can't teleport at all. Liesmith must have some sort of magic at work preventing me from transporting us."

"Or maybe you're in league with him, and you're trying to keep us from getting free", Sif said coldly as she stared hard at Amora.

"You better watch your tongue, woman", Amora's eyes narrowed.
"You wrongly accuse me of being a traitor again, and I'll turn you into toad."

"Will you both give it a rest", Sigurd growled.
"This is neither the time nor the place for you to continue your petty war of words."

"Sigurd is right, we must flee. We must find Thunder Mountain and get that hammer", Brunhilde stated as she turned towards one of the room's doors and fired at the incoming soldiers.

The group returned fire and fled out the opposite end as a platoon of TRXTR soldiers hunted them down.
Moving through the corridors, soldiers seemed to come from everywhere as alarm claxtons began to blare. But the warriors of the Church fought with bravery and a ferocity that was too much for Liesmith's guards.

Slowly they made their way to a main hanger of Liesmith's citadel, only to find a squad of troops waiting for them with a massive laser cannon. On the other side of the enemy, the sweet freedom of the icy landscape outside.

The fire fight was brutal, and Sif, Baldur, and Volstagg each took a vicious shot. But the warriors pushed on through into the hanger, eliminating the soldiers in front of them.
More soldiers began to pour into the hanger from inside the base though. And a loud cranking sound echoed through the massive space.

"No", Baldur whispered to himself as the huge doors of the hanger began to close.

"Go! Go! I'll hold them back", Sif shouted as she took control of the cannon and began to fire at the onrushing troops.

"Sif", Sigurd called out as he stopped and began to run back to her. Her cannon fire was cutting huge swathes into the soldier's advance, but their numbers were too great. It would only be a minute before they overwhelmed her.

"No", Fandral shouted as he grabbed Sigurd from behind.
"Don't be foolish!"

"But she needs our help!"

"She knows what she's doing! Come on!"

"No", Sigurd tore away from Fandral, "I won't leave her to die!"

Sigurd started to go towards Lady Sif, but soon felt like a tree branch smashed into his head and then the world turned to darkness.

"Quickly, my friends", Volstagg said as he hoisted the unconscious Sigurd up and over his shoulder.
"Let's get out here!"

The hanger doors were almost closed, but the heroes rushed out into the frigid night just in time. Sigurd groggily came too, bouncing on Volstagg's shoulder as the mountain of a man ran into the darkness.
His vision still hazy, Sigurd looked back into the hanger to see the soldier's swarm over Sif.

Then, with a deafening clang, the hanger doors slammed shut.

 

[Carnage27]

Stark Tower
Los Angeles, California

Ivan Stark's office was more like a throne room. His desk overlooked the entire city of Los Angeles, and his chair was larger than most cars.

The men assembled in front of him shift uneasily in their seats, obviously uncomfortable sitting in the presence of one of the most powerful men in the world.

"Gentlemen...I'll be brief," the CEO of Stark Industries begins. "A thorn has developed in my side recently, as I'm sure you all know. A doppelganger has been attempting to steal the mantle of Iron Man. My father's mantle that was passed on to me."

He stands and begins to pace in front of the giant windows, "I can't allow this man, this terrorist, to continue his actions, however my assets are tied up in controlling the mutant menace. That's where you come in."

"You are the best of the best of the Stark Security Forces, and I have decided to make you my 'Iron Knights'. You will all be fitted with Iron Man-type armors, and dispatched to bring down this impostor dead or alive."

He walks and places his hands on two of their shoulders, "You two will be designated Crymson Dynamo and Whiplash. Report to your barrack's armory for fitting."

The two hurry off at the CEO's command. The other sits, obviously confused as to why he hasn't received an assignment.

"You, are the very best of my troops," Ivan says as he peers over his city. "Jonathon, you will receive one of the most powerful armors I have ever designed. An updated version of the war Machine model of old...and that will be your designation. Understood?"

Jonathon Castle smiles fiendishly, "Yes, sir."

******

I close down my link to my father's office.

"Terrific."
​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

I slam hard into the rooftop as I let go of my club.

My shoulder throbs pain all the way down into my fingers.

Every muscle sends out stabbing pain as I force the stairwell door open.

"William," the old man calls as I rip off my mask and lumber down the stairs.

He's waiting for me by the time I come down the stairs into his small apartment.

"I thought it was you. I smell blood and lead on you. You are injured," he says as he thrusts his cane forward.

The old man's name is Ye. A blind man that was raised by his Chinese mother after his American father's death. In the years that I have known him, I've asked very little about where he came from. All I know is that he set me on the path that I have now went down.

It was three years ago and I was on my way home after the evening mass when I heard it, the sounds of commotion and struggle.

"Give it up, old man," someone said.

I turned the corner and saw a kid pointing a knife at the blind old man.

"Son," I said as I ventured cautiously forward.

"You don't want to do this."

The kid turned toward me, and I saw the look in his eyes; he was hopped up on something, most likely on that Rapture stuff that gets pushed here in the kitchen.

"**** you, you *****ucker priest. What the **** you know?"

"I know you don't want to do this. Believe me, son. This is something you'll regret for the rest of your life...."

"I told you to shut the **** up!"

He pushed the old man away and charged at me with the knife leading the way.

I had been a gold glove boxing champion when I was 16, before the mess with the gangs.

I was a little rusty, but I ducked and weaved like the best of them when that blade came at me. The kid was attacking too hard, leaving himself wide open for my right fist.

WHAM!

I could feel his jaw bone cracking and breaking on my knuckles and he hit the ground like a ton of bricks.

They always said I had a killer right hook.

Shaking my hand in pain, I walked up to the old man.

"Are you okay, sir?"

The old man's face turned to me, he tilted his head up and the sunglass covered eyes looked up at me.

"You......that hit...I heard it.....come with me," he said as he stood up with suprising agility.

"We have much to talk about."

"Ahhh!!" I cry out in pain as Ye removes the pliers out of the wound on my shoulder.

"There. I got it," he says as he holds up the small piece of lead for me to see.

"I told you I could smell the lead."

"You could make a fortune as a bloodhound, you know that?"

Ye remains silent as he applies disinfectant and wraps my shoulder up.

"I'm getting to Kingpin, Ye. He sent two hitmen after me tonight. Professionals. They were insane mad men, but they were skilled."

"You should be proud if all this is what you have to show for it."

He finishes wrapping up the shoulder and turns towards the kitchen.

"I'll make some tea."

I watch as Ye taps his cane and walks off into the kitchen.

My eyes drift towards the window. I see the sun starting to slowly come through.

I'm thankful Father Johnson has the morning mass today.

"Here is your tea," Ye says as he comes through the swinging door.

"So, William. How goes life in the church?"

"We're losing followers almost every day it seems. In these hopeless times, people aren't having their faith rewarded. To be honest, I cannot blame them. People pray for a better world, and it only errodes that much faster"

"Perhaps people are having their faith rewarded," Ye says as he sips his tea.

I arc my eyebrow slightly and wait for his philospical, and usually cryptic, answer.

"You say that people pray for a better world, yes? They pray God will help them change the world. Perhaps God is doing that, but through more subtle means."

"Such as?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. As a man of the cloth, you are an instrument of divine will. In more ways than one it seems. During the day, you tell people of God's righteousness and the punishment for their evils. At night, punish those eviler doers and, like the angels, carry out God's will."

I don't say anything for a long while. I just sip tea and contemplate.

"If I'm an instrument of divine will," I finally say.

"Then why do I dress up like the devil?"

Ye shrus and finishes off his tea.

"God works in mysterious ways."​

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Sigurd sat on a large rock inside the cave. The light of the large fire was the only thing illuminating the otherwise dark dwelling, as the members of the Church of Thor huddled around it for warmth.
The blizzard still raged outside the cave, cutting visibility to zero while the winds howled like a runaway locomotive.

Nobody said anything, as their gazes focused on the flickering flames, most of them wearing saddened looks on their faces.
Sigurd himself wore a particularly angry scowl as he sat leaning towards the fire, his left leg bouncing restlessly.

"We shouldn't have left her", he stated, breaking through the silence and stealing their attentions away from the fire.

"She made her choice, Sigurd", Brunhilde said.
"Sif was a warrior true. What she did today, dying in glorious battle, is the greatest of honors one can have."

"Bull****", Sigurd growled.
"Don't give me that speech, like you're some damned tenth-century Viking warrior."

Brunhilde's eyes narrowed, "Do not dare insult my faith. Sif now sits with the gods as they honor her for her sacrifice."

"Somehow, I doubt that", Sigurd scoffed.

"You little worm! I'll-"

"BE QUIET, BOTH OF YOU!"

All eyes turned to Balder, even Sigurd and Brunhilde silenced themselves and looked to the courageous warrior.

"This petty infighting must end, now! It solves nothing and only adds to our problems!"

Sigurd looked away and Brunhilde did the same, embarrassed at letting their emotions take control in the form of the outburst.

"There may have been another way, but that's something we will never know. The only thing we can do now is move on and make sure Sif's sacrifice is not in vain."

"We're dangerously out of options", Hogun said grimly.

"Aye", Fandral agreed.
"Only thing we can do is make for Thunder Mountain."

"It won't be easy", the Voluminous One stated.
"An entire legion of Liesmith's soldiers guard the path to the mountain's base."

"We won't be able to fight our way through", Balder frowned.
"That is definitely true."

"Well", he smirked devilishly, "I think it best if we just walked right on through."

"Are ye made", Volstagg scoffed.
"Just walk on through?"

"Yes", he answered as he cast his eyes over to the quiet Amora.

Sigurd's eyes went wide in recognition.
"Yes...I believe I know what you're thinking, Balder, and it just might work."

 

[Carnage27]

Iron Fortress
California, USA

I land quietly inside my new mountain fortress. Jarvis and I started the design a month after I first put on the armor as a safe house in case Dad ever found out about my nightly strolls.

Inside a mountain along the Sierra Nevada range, I've built a second mansion, with enough room to house thirty people if need be. Everything inside the facility is automated, and it also possesses a greenhouse that grows food which can sustain inhabitants indefinitely. An armory and workshop round out the safe house, just in case.

Once I'm out of the armor, I'm encased in a long embrace from Anna, "I've missed you."

I return the hug, smelling her hair, "I know. Me, too."

We walk towards the dining area and I fill her in about all that my father has done to protect his empire: Mutant cure shipments are now guarded by garrisons of troops, martial law has been implemented in the slums and undercity, and the Iron Knights patrol the state for me.

"Well...what are you gonna do?"

"One thing's for sure: I'm not going to stop. I don't care what he throws at me, I'm going to keep coming. This fight is too important to abandon."

Anna gives me a worried look as I start to chow down on my meal.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The dark clouds seemed to hover around the craggy mountaintop, the sound of thunder rumbling down to the valley below like a rolling avalanche.

Thunder Mountain, aptly named for the strange weather phenomena that continually forms around it stood out among the other mountains and hills of the area. It was easily the largest structure around.

Their feet crunching through the snow, the Thorites moved cautiously towards their goal. They had been over the plan, practicing all scenarios they could think of while they waited for the blizzard to break. And, when it did, they made their way towards the towering peak.

"The guard towers should be just over that ridge", Balder pointed out as he led the group onward.
"Remember, stay in formation, and stay disciplined! We are TRXTR soldiers, so act like them."

Dressed in stolen uniforms from head to toe, the group came over the ridge to look down at a large camp.
There were three huge buildings, their roofs white with snow, that housed the detachment and their supplies. Four large blue war-mechs patrolled the surrounding area.

"Frost Giants", Hogun sighed, "I hate Frost Giants."

"Aye", Fandral nodded, "so let's make sure we don't have to face them. Everybody stay calm and remember what we practiced."

Balder led the group down the winding path towards the large, metal gates that blocked the entrance to Thunder Mountain.
Two armed guards slowly walked out to greet them on the road, as dozens more stood on the wall's ramparts, watching the disguised Thorites with their hands resting snugly on their guns.

"Hold", one of the guards said with a raised hand.
"Let's see some identification."

Balder handed the man a small datapad, and the guard quickly scanned it over.

"We're the engineering team, out of Nastrond", Balder said, referring to the large military HQ only a dozen miles South.

"You were due in yesterday", the guard said as he cast his scrutinizing gaze towards Balder.

"The storm held us up. We had to find shelter in a nearby cave."

The guard silently stared at Balder, then at the rest of his group. They indeed were I.D.ed as the engineers, and had all the proper documentation and equipment.

"All right", he said as he handed the datapad back to Balder and motioned for his comrades to open the gates.
"Get on through. They're waiting for you about ten clicks up."

"Thank you", Balder nodded before turning around to face his men.
"Let's go, people! We haven't got all day", he shouted as the gates creaked open.
"Move your asses!"

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

Thirty minutes had passed since the Thorites had made it through the TRXTR soldiers, when the guards received more visitors at their gates.

"General Skurge", the guard saluted as the Fenris Wolf commander strode towards him, accompanied by a dozen pack members as well as the monstrous cybiote, Ulik.

"At ease, soldier. We're tracking some escaped terrorists, and their trail leads them here. Have you seen anybody out of the ordinary recently?"

"Only people that have come through has been the engineering team out of Nastrond."

"Engineering team?"

"Yes, sir", the soldier nodded.
"About a half hour ago, they came through and headed up the mountain."

"How many of them", Skurge's eyes narrowed.

"Seven all together. They had the proper paperwork, so we let them pass."

"I imagine they did", Skurge said as he looked over his shoulder and nodded.
One of the Fenris Wolves walked forward and tossed a round object onto the snow at the guard's feet.

The guard's mouth went agape as he looked down at the severed head of a TRXTR soldier resting at his feet.

"The real engineering team was ambushed earlier this morning", Skurge stated with a frustrating snarl.
"Those people you let through are the fugitives."

"Sir...I'm sorry, sir", the guard stammered, trying to keep up as Skurge and his pack stormed through the open gates.
"They've only been gone a half hour. They shouldn't be too far up the mountain side by now."

"Do you have any teams on the mountain right now?"

"Yes, sir", the guard nodded.
"We have a demolition team ten clicks up that the engineering team was supposed to rendezvous with."

"Then get on the radio and warn them! Tell them the engineering team are actually terrorists in disguise and that they are to hold their ground until reinforcements can arrive."

"Yes, sir!"

The guard ran off, and Skurge led his team to the mountain's base. He was looking up the misty path leading up Thunder Mountain when the soldier returned with the commanding officer.

"Major Blake, at your service", he saluted.
"There's no response from the demolition team. My guess is that those terrorists already go to them."

"You'd guess right", Skurge grumbled.
"Get your men together, Major. I want a squad with me, along with two of your Frost Giants, as we head up the mountain to take them down. Get your men organized here to stop any escape attempt. Is that clear?"

"Crystal, sir", the Major saluted before turning to his troops, barking out orders.
The whole base began bustling with activity, and in only a few minutes time, Skurge and his team were heading up the lonely mountain pass on the trail of their prey...

 

[Spike_x1]

Tyler Stone smiled.
"Excellent. You're a bright young man, Mike. We at Alchemax are lucky to have you."

"Now", Tyler said as he helped Miguel towards the door.
"If you don't mind, I really have to get back to work. And I'm sure you've got plenty of things on your plate."

"Take care, Mike", Tyler said as he guided Miguel out his office door.

"Oh, and Mike", Tyler called after O'Hara.

"I'm glad we had this talk", Tyler smiled like a shark before turning and walking back towards his desk, the door shutting behind him.

I spent the rest of the day literally hiding underneath of my desk, afraid to move or talk to anyone at all. I just needed the rapture high to wear off so that I could figure something out. It wouldn't be long before my body would need another hit of the crap, and by then it will be too late to do anything about it. I'll be completely hooked on it, and unwilling to pursue any course of action to cure myself of the addiction. No way am I going to let that happen.

No. Shocking. Way.

Almost an hour after everyone else has gone home for the day, my hands finally stop shaking and I pick myself up from my pitiful place on the floor. I know just what to do. Before he was killed, Jackson and I were working on a new form of gene-splicing technology. We were still very much in the experimental phase, still working with animals, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Only minutes later, I'm in the lab and prepping the equipment. The plan is to splice myself with a sample of my own DNA taken from my profile in the company records. Alchemax has all of their employees' genetic codes on record, just in case of drug testing or verification of identity, so it wasn't too hard at all to hack into the files and calibrate the splicing machine to infuse a subject with my genetic code. This process should hopefully filter out the rapture from my system.

As the machinery hums to life, I set the process to an automatic countdown and come out of the control booth, and strip off my clothes and sit in the subject chair. Ten more seconds... Wait! Who the hell is fooling around in the booth?! Some idiot is in there pressing buttons!

"HEY! KNOCK IT OFF! GET OUT OF THERE--!"

An instant before I can leap out of my seat and run to the control booth, the genetic recombinating beam hits me like a ton of bricks and slams my ass back down into the chair. God only knows what that moron was doing to the splicer's settings, but I can't help but fear the worst.

...

It seems like an eternity until I wake up, but I instinctively know that it's only been a few moments. I groggily stagger out of the chair and can see a man striding confidently towards me, but I can barely make out who it is through my currently hazy frame of mind. It... it is! It's Aaron Delgato! He was once my supervisor until Stone recognized that I was actually smarter and more skilled than him. And then I became Aaron's supervisor. Delgato's always been jealous of me, but what was he thinking by screwing around with the splicer's settings while I was in it? Was he trying to kill me?

"AAaron..." As soon as the sound escapes my mouth, I can feel the difference. The very way that I perceive the world has changed! I can actually sense Aaron smugly walking towards me, laughing to himself as he believes I've been crippled by what he did.

"Whyyyy?!"

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Get down!"

Balder dove, tackling Brunhilde as the laser blast scorched through the air where she just stood.

They were near the top of the mountain when the TRXTR detachment caught up with them. The mountain pass was wide enough for a dozen men to fight comfortable side by side, which was not good news for the Thorites as it allowed the Frost Giants and the deadly cybiote, Ulik, room to maneuver.

One of the Frost Giant's arms raised up and morphed into a massive cannon. Taking aim the war mech fired, the titanic blast blowing a large chunk from the mountain just above the path.

The avalanche came pouring down, running over four TRXTR soldiers who could not fall back fast enough. When the dust settled, half the pathway was blocked by large boulders. The Thorites dug in behind their newly acquired cover and opened fire.

"Go", Hogun shouted as he fired a series of blasts towards the enemy.
"We will hold them as long as we can!"

"Like Hel! I'm not leaving you like we did Sif", Sigurd shouted back as he ducked back behind his rock as a pair of laser bolts crashed into the stone.

"Stubborn ass", Brunhilde growled.
"If we fail to get to that hammer, we're done! You need to get it before it's too late!"

"She's right, Sigurd", Amora said as she raised a mystical shield in time to block the cannon fire of a Frost Giant. The shield holds, but the strain of it brings Amora down to one knee.
"The only thing...that can save us now is...the Hammer", she says while wincing in pain as she stands back up.

She's right. Sigurd knows she's right. So, with a deep breath, Sigurd sprints off, a hail of gun fire nipping at his heels.

Skurge frowns as he sees his former teammate running off up the mountain.

"Dammit! We can't let him get to the top."

"Ulik", Skurge said into his communicator.
"Hunt Sigurd down! Do not let him reach the altar!"

The troll stopped it's attack on the Thorites and moved to the cliff face, it's arms morphing into long, jagged claws as it climbed up the sheer cliff like a spider...

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

He had been running up the mountain path for what seemed like forever. Every muscle burned as he struggled on, his legs getting heavier and heavier with each step.
Sigurd's breaths were coming more ragged and ragged, but still the warrior pushed himself onward. He would not allow his friends to die. Not while there was breath still in him.

Finally Sigurd's climb leveled out into a path cutting through a surprisingly green patch of large pines and shrubs.
Pushing through the grown in path for nearly a minute, Sigurd came into a large grassy clearing. The pines surrounded the area, seemingly protecting it like a natural wall that raised up to the sky.

In the far side of the clearing there stood a stone pedestal that, judging from the amount of wear and lichen growing on it, was very old. But it was what was on this altar that caught Sigurd's weary eyes.

A magnificently plain-looking warhammer with a brown leather strap at it's end. But Sigurd knew this was no ordinary weapon. The large hammer seemed to radiate with an inner power, shrouding it in an invisible aura of energy.
He knew without a shadow of doubt that this was it...the Hammer of Thor.

Taking a deep breath, Sigurd willed his weak legs forward, determined not to give in to his exhaustion with his prize dangling right in front of him.

Sigurd cried out as something slammed into his back, sending him flying off his feet and landing face first in the grass.
His back burned in searing pain as he struggled to take his winter coat off as quickly as possible. Luckily, Sigurd was able to remove his garment in time before the acid ball could burn completely through.
He rolled to his back onto the frosty grass to see the imposing form of Ulik stalking in towards him. The cybiote raised it's arm cannon, pointing it towards Sigurd as the weapon hummed to life.

A beam of intense white energy slammed into Ulik, engulfing the troll and blowing it into a million pieces.

Sigurd, stunned at his sudden fortune, spun around as quickly as he could to see an even larger monstrosity walking in from the other side of the tree line, behind the altar.

Spoiler

The armored thing strode fearlessly forward, each heavy footfall sending a tremor through the ground.
The thing stopped only a few feet before Sigurd as he braced himself for the inevitable.
But death never came to Sigurd. No, the iron creature just looked down at him, and it's imposing stance relaxed a bit.

"You..."

Sigurd's surprise at the fact that the thing could speak was evident by his expression. It's voice was hard on his ears, almost like the sound of somebody rubbing to bricks of steel together, but understandable. In fact it almost had a regal tone to it.

"I know your face..."

"It is you...Thor", the metal monstrosity said in recognition.

"...My son."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"...What? Son? What the Hel are you", a bewildered Sigurd asked the metal monstrosity looming over him.

"Yes", the thing spoke in it's rough voice.
"Of course you do not recognize me...it has been so long..."

"I was not always trapped in the body of the Destroyer", the thing said as it inspected it's hands.

"The Destroyer?"

"Yes...this uru construct", the creature stated as it gestured to itself.

"I created it, long ago, to help save Asgard from a race of cosmic gods..."

"...Who are you...", Sigurd slowly asked, his eyes narrowed.

The Destroyer straightened itself, taking a more regal posture.
"I have many names, but the one most familiar with me is Odin, the All-Father. I am the Lord of Asgard..."

"Or", the Destroyer sighed, it's shoulders slumping a bit, "was Lord of Asgard. For the Golden Realm is no more."

"What are you talking about", Sigurd frowned.
"And, if you really are Odin, how can you stand by while corporations, like TRXTR, bleed the world dry?"

"There is much to tell you, son", the Destroyer spoke, "and little time. So I will begin with the end..."

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

The ramparts exploded as blast of hellfire smashed through it, demolishing a row of houses inside the city's massive walls.

"Hold the line", Balder the Brave shouted, his sword held high as his armor shining like the sun for all the warriors of Asgard to see.
It was a sight of magnificence and bravery, and a sight that rallied the Asgardians as the demons poured into the city through the broken wall.

The Cataclysm had struck Midgard only days before. And, like throwing a rock into a still pool, the ripples from the event moved beyond the dimensions and slammed into Asgard like a maelstrom.
The seals containing vile Surtur were shattered, and the fire demon and his never ending hordes marched onto the Golden City.

But the Surtur was not alone. Ymir, and his army of frost giants, Geirrodur and his legions of trolls, and the accursed Malekith and his dark elf minions joined the demons in the destruction of the Aesir.
The Asgardians were courageous in the face of overwhelming odds, but even with the power of Odin backing them, it was too much.
Even with Loki, who joined in the struggle against Surtur, it was not enough.

The forces of darkness advanced, and now have breached the walls of the Golden City of Asgard.

"I SAY THEE, NAY!"

Mighty Mjolnir slammed down, shattering the skull of the frost giant and knocking the dead monster backwards, to fall on top of a handful of troll warriors.

"Do not give in, noble warriors of Asgard", the Son of Odin shouted as he smashed Mjolnir into the ground, sending out a current of electricity that fried a dozen dark elves.

"When the dust doth clear", Thor yelled as he spun his magical hammer around over his head. With each spin, Mjolnir gained speed and started to radiate blue energy.
"We shall be victorious!"

"For we are just", Thor speaks as he hurls Mjolnir at the monstrous Ulik. The hammer smashes the troll in his chest, sending him soaring back into the distant horizon.

"For we are mighty", Thor shouts as he starts sprinting towards the monstrous wall of foes, a legion of battle-ready Asgardian warriors following right behind.

"FOR ODIN", the Thunderer yells as Mjolnir comes flying back, right into Thor's open hand.
The Odinson clenches his teeth as he rears his magic weapon back, Mjolnir crackling with magical power as he closes in on the enemy line.

"FOR ASGARD!"

 

[SuperFerret]

It took me months to do, years to learn how to do it, and weeks to find the necessary components to accomplish it, but I did it, and every video screen on the planet now displayed my image, dressed in a rebuilt and refurbished costume, and backed by a constantly moving hologram of the American flag. I get right to the point before my pirated connection is shut down.

"In the year 1776, a gathering of good men decreed that they will not endure tyranny and that they will be free. In the years between 1939 and 1945, more good men gathered to ensure that tyranny's spread would be thwarted. In the year 1963, five good men and women assembled for the first time to combat those tyrants that none of them could defeat alone.

In the year 2099, I, once more, call out to those good men and women to assemble and avenge those who suffer under the corporate tyranny that now grips our world. General George Washington once said; "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." I tell you today, that I am one of those men, and I know that there are others out there like me. I want you to show the courage to assemble at my side. Together, we will once more bring freedom and liberty to this world."

I pause, both for effect and to gather the lung power to give the old rallying cry the due respect. I raise the Shield above my head, and let it out.

"Avengers assem-!"​

The video feed is cut halfway through the second word, but I think I got my point across. Now, I wait for the Avengers to reveal themselves.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Cut the feed", Stone screamed into the comm system as Captain America's speech rang out through the world.
"Cut it now, God dammit!"

The video cut out just as the iconic symbol of freedom lifted his shield high and shouted his rally cry.

Damnation, Tyler thought as he sneered in anger.
Storming out of his office, Stone charged off towards Alchemax's communications control room...

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

"How the hell can you idiots allow this to happen", Stone shouted as he glared at the many men and women in the control room of Alchemax's holonet.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Stone", one red-headed woman replied.
"We're still trying to figure out how he hacked into the network. By all rights, it should've been impossible."

"Yes, I'm well aware of that fact", Tyler shot back.
"I don't want excuses from you people! I want answers!"

The tension was high as the nervous eyes of all the employees in the room were on Tyler Stone as the CEO vented his anger. Each one of them silently praying that they made it through this "meeting" unscathed.

"I want to find out who the hell that really was, and where he is broadcasting from! And I want to know now!"

Tyler's angry eyes darted from person to person as all stood quietly by, watching him.

"Get to work!"


The drones scurried back to their posts, frantically carrying out the will of Tyler Stone. Stone just let out a deep sigh of frustration, silently contemplating whether to send a message to the group by having a few of them terminated.

He put the thought on the back burner though, as he left the room.

"Mr. Stone!"

"What is it", Tyler replied, a bit more harshly than usual, to the security officer running up to him.

"There's been an accident upstairs, sir. In the Dr. Jackson's old lab."

Stone stopped, his wide eyes falling on the messenger.

"Let's go", Tyler commanded as he pushed past the guard, hurrying towards the lab area...