The Brand New And Improved "Heroes vs. Villains: Marvel" RPG

[Byrd Man]

​

I look up at the Devil from where I sit slumped with my back against a scorched wall.

"Yeah. you got it DareDevil." I say as I pick myself up off the floor. Every inch of me screams in pain as I move, but I don't even flinch as I walk over to where Cassady lays and look him over.

"Just as soon as I put this idiot outta my misery." I say as I raise my claws and bring them sweeping down towards Cassady.

"No."

I toss my billy club in the direction of the sound of Sabretooth's claws slicing through the air. My club gives out a solid clank as the blow knocks his claws away from Cassady.

"He's a monster, but it's not our place to kill him. We're not judge, jury, and executioner. The police will take care of him."

 

[bkhedr]

"No."

I toss my billy club in the direction of the sound of Sabretooth's claws slicing through the air. My club gives out a solid clank as the blow knocks his claws away from Cassady.

"He's a monster, but it's not our place to kill him. We're not judge, jury, and executioner. The police will take care of him."

​

I pull back my hand, rubbing it as I give the Devil a long angry scowl. I can feel my muscles tensing, the hairs standing on the back of my neck. It hard to fight the urge to attack, to just cut loose and not stop till there's nothing left of him but a red smear on the wall...

But that's what the animal would do. I'm the Kingpin now.

I straighten up, still scowling, and step away from Cassidy.

"Have it your way." I snarl even as the first sounds of both PowderKeg and Arclight regaining consciousness amidst the rubble around us reaches me.

Figures, they'd both survive the blast if DareDevil did. Good for me, and in more than one way.

"This is your neighbourhood chief." I say as I motion towards Cassidy "Do what you want with him."

"I'll just collect my crew and be on my way. Won't be coming into Hell's Kitchen again anytime soon."

"Not Soon Sabretooth." The Devil says through gritted teeth "Not Ever."

I'll give him this, he's got his act down pat. Anybody but me would probably wet themselves.

Before I can respond he's gone, out the window and into the night. Guess he figures he's made his point or maybe he's hurt worse than he lets on. Don't know he is, if he's a mutant or something else, but I do know it hasn't been long since the beatdown I gave him, and Carnage got some good licks in today.

Whatever the case, the source of his scent is already a ways away when Arclight limps over to me holding her rip cage.

"What was all that about?" She asks

"Nothing much." I mutter

"He's weak. I've made up my mind" I add, as I follow my nose, making my way behind the ruined bar to a still wet streak of blood on the floor.

I reach into a pouch in my belt and retrieve a small needle then touch the needle to the blood, collecting a sample.

"Get PowderKep up." I tell Arclight as I exmaine the sample "Its time we put the Devil out to pasture."​

 

[Byrd Man]

Foggy's heart is racing so fast I can't keep up with the beats per minute too well. Although I can't see, the angry screams from pedestrians and drivers tells me he just ran a red light. I can smell the sweat starting to leak out his glands. Foggy is in bad shape, but that's nothing compared to what's in the backseat.

"AHHHH! Where the **** is Luke?!!"

Ten minutes ago Jessica Jones, Nelson and Murdock's investigator, went into labor.

"Don't worry, Jess, I called him right before we left the office. He'll meet us at the hospital."

"Good. Because when I see him, I'm gonna rip off his **** and stick it up his ***** and then break it off with a ***** up his ***** and then throw in another **** until the handle breaks off!"

"....Good to see you're taking it so well. You might want to take a left here, Foggy."

The horn of a city bus bellows out. Foggy's heart rate jumps through the roof.

"Ahhh!"

"Ahhh!"

"Ahhh!"

I'm thrown against the car door as Foggy swerves to miss the bus. He corrects the car and keeps on speeding down the street.

"Okay, we're alright. Only...twenty more blocks to go!"

"Foggy, maybe I should drive..."

Later

In the waiting room at the hospital, Foggy and I are joined by Danny Rand and Becky. Luke showed up and went right into the delivery room. That was five hours ago.

"So, Mandarin just kidnapped you?" I whisper to Danny.

"Yeah. It was kinda weird. I don't remember anything until I woke up in Iron Man's arms. I don't know what Mandarin did to me....I even checked for anal probes, no go."

"That's odd."

I rub the scabbed up cut on my chin, my thoughts turning back to Sabretooth and the deal we made. I don't feel a hundred percent on it....but the people around me are the reason why I made the deal in the first place.

"Miss Jones is done," a nurse coming out of the delivery room announces. "You can come on back."

The four of us follow her back into the room, Foggy pushing Becky. The smells inside the delivery room are....overwhelming, to say the least. Blood and a few other fluids that come out when a baby is born.

"It's a girl!" Luke cries out. "Sweet Christmas, I got me a baby girl."

"She looks adorable."

I hang back and let everyone crowd in on Jessica. I wish I could see the scene. But just the other senses tell me something I've known all along.

Whatever the price, my deal with Sabretooth was worth it.

Everyone is safe.
​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Racing through the air, I grab a tree hurled by Typhon and place it on the ground.

"Divert ten percent power from shields and rerouted it to weapons," I command the suit from inside.

Acknowledged. Weapon systems now at 95% with shields at 23%.

"Yikes. Okie dokie. Le'ts do it to it."

I blast off from the ground and race towards Typhon.

Typhon hovered over the park before landing. "You are right, whelp. You and these Avengers are of no real consequence. I shalt meet your challenge and meet you head on. Then, this land and all of its riches whall be mine, as the dark lord promised!"

His form became smaller, but still matched the physical prescence of Ares himself.

"Now I deliver you to Hela, son of Zeus".

​

"Ha!" Ares grinned, "I have lived for thousands of years and none have stayed my fury..." Ares leapt, as Typhon created a sword of fire and met his charge "...You shall be no no different!"

Ares and Typhon duke it out. The monster knocks the God of War away and prepares to strike. His attack comes close to Ares when I come in and crash into the beast at Mach 1. Typhon is knocked off his feet and crashes into a nearby pond in the park.

"That's right!"

I land next to Ares and wait for Typon's next move.

"How'd you like that, Ares? I call it the Iron Man Falcon Punch."

 

[TrueMastermind]

Many years into the future...

The thick rain droplets splatter against the ground while spooky, black clouds provide a creepy overcast. All in all, it wasn't a great day. Especially not for the young Nathanial Richards.

Taking a shadowy shortcut to return home while clutching what seemed to resemble an action figure, Nathanial felt a scary presence around him. Something was telling him to return to the safety of the streets, where other civilians lurked and would keep him from getting hurt. But the ignorance of the young Richards kept him from following his advanced mind. This would prove to be a great mistake, a mistake that would change his life forever.

"Well look who its, nerdy Nate," Deep and mature, the voice was that of one of the local boneheaded bullies, accompanied by two of his stupid lackeys.

"Leave me alone!" Clearly frightened, Nate violently shivered, letting all onlookers know of his fear. This is what the bullies loved, to see proof of their intimidation in their victims. This only made them hungry for more.

"Hey dork, you even play with dolls now? You are just the supreme nerd, aren't you?"

"Tell us something we don't know."

"Let me see that!" A minute later, and Nathanial's "toy" was bouncing around in the hands of the bullies, with them giggling like gossiping little girls.

"Give that back!" The angered adolescent charged the leader of the troupe, thrusting his small fist directly ino the bully's already crooked nose. Shocked by the nerd's sudden bravery, the blond brute stumbled around clutching his damaged nose.

"Okay, punk, this is how its gonna go down. You gonna run home, leave your little doll with us, and then buy all of us lunch at school tomorrow. Got that?" Pulsing with visible rage, Nathanial shook his head and tried to rip his stolen item out of his confronter's giant hands.

"I don't take orders from you dumb***es!" As soon as that last "s" left his mouth, a hard fist connected with his mouth. Blood gushed out like an easygoing river and caused Nathanial to crash to the ground.

Brutal. Harsh. Painful. A whole of dictionary of words could be used to describe the beating the bullies laid upon poor Nathanial after his attempt to fight back. Apparently, if you go by their logic, attempting to not look like a puny punk is disrespectful. Or maybe they were just thirsty for a little fist-to-fist action. Well actually, it was more fist-to-face, but you get the general idea.

"You see what happens when you disobey us wimp?!"

"Yeah, you better learn some respect!"

"And we can tutor ya in that subject!"

"Please.....stop..."

"Shut up twerp!" The brutality was seemingly endless, with the barrage of fist and feet constanly connecting with the helpless Nathanial's body.

"It....hurts...."

"STOP!" All movement halted for a brief second before the four adolescents turned to discover who this new arrival was. And oh, they recieved quite a shock.

The bullies distanced theirselves from Nathanial, trying not to look like they done anything to the battered boy at all. But Kang knew. He knew well.

"Come here boy." Kang motioned for the miserable teen to come to him. Now knowing what disobeying orders did for him, Nate limped over to the intimidating figure.

"Do you know who I am?" Nathanial shook his head. "I am talking nonsense. Of course you don't. I am Kang the Conqueror...otherwise known as Nathanial Richards."

 

[TrueMastermind]

Many years into the future...

The thick rain droplets splatter against the ground while spooky, black clouds provide a creepy overcast. All in all, it wasn't a great day. Especially not for the young Nathanial Richards.

Taking a shadowy shortcut to return home while clutching what seemed to resemble an action figure, Nathanial felt a scary presence around him. Something was telling him to return to the safety of the streets, where other civilians lurked and would keep him from getting hurt. But the ignorance of the young Richards kept him from following his advanced mind. This would prove to be a great mistake, a mistake that would change his life forever.

"Well look who its, nerdy Nate," Deep and mature, the voice was that of one of the local boneheaded bullies, accompanied by two of his stupid lackeys.

"Leave me alone!" Clearly frightened, Nate violently shivered, letting all onlookers know of his fear. This is what the bullies loved, to see proof of their intimidation in their victims. This only made them hungry for more.

"Hey dork, you even play with dolls now? You are just the supreme nerd, aren't you?"

"Tell us something we don't know."

"Let me see that!" A minute later, and Nathanial's "toy" was bouncing around in the hands of the bullies, with them giggling like gossiping little girls.

"Give that back!" The angered adolescent charged the leader of the troupe, thrusting his small fist directly ino the bully's already crooked nose. Shocked by the nerd's sudden bravery, the blond brute stumbled around clutching his damaged nose.

"Okay, punk, this is how its gonna go down. You gonna run home, leave your little doll with us, and then buy all of us lunch at school tomorrow. Got that?" Pulsing with visible rage, Nathanial shook his head and tried to rip his stolen item out of his confronter's giant hands.

"I don't take orders from you dumb***es!" As soon as that last "s" left his mouth, a hard fist connected with his mouth. Blood gushed out like an easygoing river and caused Nathanial to crash to the ground.

Brutal. Harsh. Painful. A whole of dictionary of words could be used to describe the beating the bullies laid upon poor Nathanial after his attempt to fight back. Apparently, if you go by their logic, attempting to not look like a puny punk is disrespectful. Or maybe they were just thirsty for a little fist-to-fist action. Well actually, it was more fist-to-face, but you get the general idea.

"You see what happens when you disobey us wimp?!"

"Yeah, you better learn some respect!"

"And we can tutor ya in that subject!"

"Please.....stop..."

"Shut up twerp!" The brutality was seemingly endless, with the barrage of fist and feet constanly connecting with the helpless Nathanial's body.

"It....hurts...."

"STOP!" All movement halted for a brief second before the four adolescents turned to discover who this new arrival was. And oh, they recieved quite a shock.

The bullies distanced theirselves from Nathanial, trying not to look like they done anything to the battered boy at all. But Kang knew. He knew well.

"Come here boy." Kang motioned for the miserable teen to come to him. Now knowing what disobeying orders did for him, Nate limped over to the intimidating figure.

"Do you know who I am?" Nathanial shook his head. "I am talking nonsense. Of course you don't. I am Kang the Conqueror...otherwise known as Nathanial Richards."

The young Nathanial Richards peered up at his apparently older self with suprised, wide eyes. Kang's expression broke into a smile while the bullies continued to cuddle with each other only a few yards away.

"You and I are one in the same. Years from this day, you will become the leader of this world. The face of all these pathetic people. You will control everything in sight with a fearsome, iron grasp." Kang shot a holographic image out of his palm.

"Do you see this? This is your future. With a mind that surpasses anyone of your era and the technology to achieve whatever you desire, people will fall at your knees. Not only will you conquer this puny world, but you gather control over the whole galaxy. You will be a legend in your own right." Taking his eyes off of the arrogant Kang, Nathanial gazed at the horrific image set in front of him. The screams of death frightened him, the immense, blazing infernos pierced his soul, and the dominant figure of Kang the Conqueror standing over all of the mass destruction, not feeling any reprecussions on his actions. It sickened Nathanial, damaged his frail soul. He would remember that image forever.

"But there are those who will try to oppose you. The Avengers, a vigilante team from long ago, will be your main obstacle. They think their futile efforts can stop the mighty Kang. Their confidence does impress me, but they will fall netherless."

The image changed to more of a colorful one, with an oddly dressed group of men combating against a duller looking bunch. A scrawny man donning a spider-themed garb bounced around with clear confidence. A muscular black brute smashed his enemy's skulls like they were mere paper. Two people wearing similar colored costumes easily overpowered any who opposed him.

And there was the one they called Captain America. Shouting out commands to his mighty comrades, the Captain fought with a unique style, his fighting prowess surpassing all of his peers. But the teenage Richards admired the bright colors of the "Iron Man" dude, it made him stick out.

"It all starts here today, young Nate. I have protected you from a long-term hospitalization at the hands of these immature boys. I will now you provide you with an armor that will follow your every command, an armor that will allow you to destroy your enemies." And seemingly out of nowhere, a futuristic battle suit appeared before Nathanial, indeed catching his attention. Before he could blink twice, the suit covered his whole body.

"Kill them, and show your might. The might of Kang the Conqueror!" The bullies were now crying, scared out of their tiny minds. Nate didn't want to kill them. Didn't even want to hurt them. He looked back at Kang and slowly shook his head.

"I have been bossed around my whole life, and I'm not about to take **** from a sick-minded psychopath like you! I'm not a killer, not some control-hungry freak, and I never want to end up that way! I am Nathanial Richards, not Kang the Conqueror!" The Avengers. That's where he could go. There had to be some kind of time travel device on his suit, if he spoke the truth about him posessing great technology.

Take me back to meet the Avengers, so they could protect from this creep.

He was gone the next second in a bright, flash of light.

 

[Spike_x1]

The Leader. Real name: Samuel Sterns. Like me, he was mutated by gamma radiation. Unlike me, however, his strength was not what was what enhanced by the gamma rays. With literal superhuman intelligence, the Leader was probably the smartest man on the planet as far as raw booksmarts go.

The problem with seeing him here, though, is that I saw Sterns' evolution into a higher state of being before his life appeared to end. Or at least his life as far as I understood it.

[BLACKOUT]"I know what you're thinking, and incidentally, yes, I did die. Fortunately, my life is not shackled by the same boundaries as you or the rest of the human race. I appear--"[/BLACKOUT]

"Cut the crap and tell it like it is, Leader," I say, interrupting his crazy villainous monologue. "You had a contingency plan in case you died. You somehow implanted some version of your own personality within my subconscious --probably through a combination of telepathy and a form of microcircuitry-- which resulted in the development of my new Red Hulk personality."

The smug smile on Sterns' face as I recite my list of conclusions does nothing but frustrate me. While it's true that I had theorized much of this, it's only now that I'm getting any sort of confirmation.

Not even pausing to congratulate me on putting it all together, the Leader continues, [BLACKOUT]"Your studies in advanced mental discipline and self-hypnosis in your efforts to keep the ordinary Hulk in check did happen to slow the growth of the Red Hulk part of your subconscious, however it was only a matter of time before he emerged. The involvement of the Ifrit certainly didn't hurt matters, either."[/BLACKOUT]

"And the fact that the Rulk seemed to get smarter and smarter as he was around longer and longer...? That was a design feature, wasn't it? The Red Hulk isn't you, per se. He's more like a walking storage device for your personality. He's strong enough to ensure that what he's protecting --your soul, for lack of a better term-- is safe until he can get a new body for you."

The Leader's smile washes away. We both know that things are going to get ugly pretty soon. "And while Rulk is looking for that new body, his intelligence is also building up, essentially increasing capacity space in his mind to make more room for your soul as it grows in strength, until you're powerful enough to leave his and my body. But... if you're already in my body, something you've wanted for a long time, why aren't you intent on simply staying here?"

[BLACKOUT]"Banner, I'd be foolish to try to lay claim on your body, knowing what kind of friends you have and how far they would go to restore your mind. You and I both know how talented I am at calculating the odds of a particular outcome of events, and I know that I would eventually be cast out of your mind. I'm arrogant, but I'm not an idiot. Besides, I have plans for you."[/BLACKOUT]

"So what are you doing?"

His smile returns and I can't hide the shiver that goes up my spine. [BLACKOUT]"Why my good Doctor Banner, we're on our way to one of my old hidden labs to extract my mind from yours as we speak."[/BLACKOUT]

"Wha-?!"

[BLACKOUT]"That's right. While we've been talking here in the depths of your subconscious, my Red Hulk emerged in the physical world and took care of the good Doctor Samson. Why, our next leap will take us almost to the border of Arizona."[/BLACKOUT]

**********

As the Leader and Bruce Banner discussed current events, the Red Hulk landed far out in the middle of the desert after a particularly strong leap. Looking around him to make certain of his solitude, Rulk could see nothing but rocks, dirt, and a clear blue sky overhead.

"Sterns-Alpha-Nine-Freehold: Activate."

As he spoke the password to the Leader's hidden lair, located under his very feet, the crimson Hulk braced himself for the coming barrage of defenses. He knew that speaking the password aloud would get the attention of the secret base's automated systems that were ordinarily in sleep mode, but the fact that his voiceprint didn't match up with that of the Leader himself meant that an intruder alert would be sounded by the base. Laser and machine guns suddenly sprang out from their hidden emplacements under the sand and commenced fire on the Incredible Rulk.

While the shots weren't injuring him, the blasts from the Leader's advanced weapons didn't exactly feel like soothing backrubs. He needed to get out of the line of fire, and because the camouflaged doors to the base weren't going to open for him, and because they were designed to withstand the strength of the Green Hulk, Rulk's plan actually did call for the activation of the automated defenses. Once he was inside, he would be able to manually deactivate the voiceprint identification safeties. It would be a little rough getting in, as well as damaging to one of the gun turrets, but it was for a good cause. In a flash, he at the nearest turret and crushing the gun barrel.

Now to make an opening...

The sound of wrenching metal echoed through the desert as the Red Hulk began ripping the gun turret and its cables out of the ground, creating a path of torn earth leading underground to the Leader's lair. That's when he realized that none of the other gun turrets were firing anymore. Looking up to see what had caused them to stop their attack, Rulk was met only with the fist of a very angry green haired psychiatrist.

Sent backwards by the force of Samson's punch, Rulk's body plowed a larged trench into the earth. Wiping his bloody nose, the monster stood up and looked at the smaller man in front of him.

The doctor had obviously destroyed the remaining guns while Rulk had been occupied. While Samson was not as strong as the Red Hulk, his fighting skill did a lot to compensate and Rulk knew that the doctor was not to be underestimated in a physical confrontation.

"It took me a while to catch up to you, but your destructive leaps weren't difficult to follow. I usually try not to get involved in fist fights when I don't have to, but you destroyed my Avengers communicator, unfortunately." Samson crouched into a fighting stance and readied himself for the behemoth's inevitable attack. "You caught me by surprise before. That won't happen again."

"We shall see," growled the Red Hulk as he jumped towards Samson, ready to put the self-righteous doctor down for good.

 

[TrueMastermind]

A While Back...

The mansion was dark. Lit by a lone, antique lamp, the place seemed abadoned, no Avenrgers, no nothing. However, the scattered wreckage did contain grimy potraits of a number of their members. Momentarily scavenging through the piles of damaged decorations, Nathanial knew that their were no Avengers were here. And it seemed that they had no plans in coming back.

He had to go back further in time. But whenever he focused just on that single task, he got no response. Was the suit malfuctioning?

Doubt it. The Avengers probably got some kind of spell preventing people from just popping up here any second. But then I wouldn't be here. No use pondering on the matter I guess...

Returning to his cautious stroll throughout the deserted abode, a bright array of colors caught his eye. Walking over to the source of the glow, Nathanial's eyes grew wide once again for the second time in an hour. There laid a humanoid robot sliced straight in half, wires poking out of the body like millions of little snakes. Suddenly, a holographic projection shot out of a nearby device, the image resembling an "alive" version of the mangled "man" on the floor.

The Vision: Rebirth

The darkness was over. He could see the light now. He was awake. He was alive.

"So...what are you?" the boy before him asked.

"I am a holographic representation of the Vision," he announced.

"Weren't you destroyed?" he said incredulously.

"Correct. She-Hulk ripped me in half in a rage," the hologram explained emotionlessly.

"So how come you're not...well...dead?" he asked.

"My internal CPU was spared, as was my holographic projector," the Vision said.

"Well...now what?" the boy asked.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"I'm Nathaniel," Nathaniel announced. The hologram raised an eyebrow.

"Nathaniel Richards?" the Vision asked.

Nathaniel shrugged.

"I guess so,"

"Very well..." Vision said slowly "Where are the Avengers?"

"The Avengers? I don't know..." Nathaniel said, backing away from the hologram.

"Interesting," the hologram stated "Nathaniel, I shall need you to make me a new body,"

"What?" Nathaniel said incredulously.

"I shall instruct you based on your suit, my original schematics and some added improvements. We can use assorted scraps from the mansion. It shall be simple," the Vision explained. Nathaniel raised an eyebrow.

"If you say so," he muttered.

"And you shall need a new name. Nathaniel Richards is not a safe one to use here. I suggest you think on that while you rebuild me," Vision said.

"My name isn't safe?" Nathaniel said, smirking.

"I shall explain in due course, my young friend. However, we must now get to work,"

 

[J'adore]

"I've got a visual, I'm going low."

"That's great. Has Viper completed her objective yet?"

A black jet in the skies of Symkaria, swooped round the cold mountains, lowering and lowering itself, becoming closer to the SHIELD Helicarrier. The exact Helicarrier that hovered over the great scene that took place over Alphonse Gallatik's house. A distant visual on Crippler throwing Skein down to the river below could be seen from the Jet.

"No, she has not. We still have time. The guns are locked in on the target, I am no preparing to fire."

"Looks like Skein is down. Just a heads up, King Stefan is sending his men, aka, his soldiers. I'll keep them occupied as long as I can. I also have visuals on the V-Battalion, they too want in on killing that green-haired b--"

"Alert the other SHIELD operatives on board the Helicarrier, tell them to send out troops to keep the V-Battalion away."

"Good thinking. You are now ready to fire."

Two mounted mini-guns rose out of the top of the jet, aiming down towards Viper.

"RETTE MICH!"

The loud scream was even heard clearly up in the jet. The jet that was no becoming more and more visible.

"S***! Natasha, get in there! NOW!"

Punching down on the 'Autopilot' button and the 'stall' button, Natasha Romanoff AKA Black Widow, raced over to the Jet door. Her palm pressed down on the 'open' button. With that one push, the door swung back, the great vicious wind cutting through her hair. Taking one big leap, she started to soar through the skies.


​

 

[bkhedr]

I pull back my hand, rubbing it as I give the Devil a long angry scowl. I can feel my muscles tensing, the hairs standing on the back of my neck. It hard to fight the urge to attack, to just cut loose and not stop till there's nothing left of him but a red smear on the wall...​

But that's what the animal would do. I'm the Kingpin now.​

I straighten up, still scowling, and step away from Cassidy. ​

"Have it your way." I snarl even as the first sounds of both PowderKeg and Arclight regaining consciousness amidst the rubble around us reaches me.​

Figures, they'd both survive the blast if DareDevil did. Good for me, and in more than one way. ​

"This is your neighbourhood chief." I say as I motion towards Cassidy "Do what you want with him."​

"I'll just collect my crew and be on my way. Won't be coming into Hell's Kitchen again anytime soon."​

"Not Soon Sabretooth." The Devil says through gritted teeth "Not Ever." ​

I'll give him this, he's got his act down pat. Anybody but me would probably wet themselves.​

Before I can respond he's gone, out the window and into the night. Guess he figures he's made his point or maybe he's hurt worse than he lets on. Don't know he is, if he's a mutant or something else, but I do know it hasn't been long since the beatdown I gave him, and Carnage got some good licks in today.​

Whatever the case, the source of his scent is already a ways away when Arclight limps over to me holding her rip cage.​

"What was all that about?" She asks​

"Nothing much." I mutter ​

"He's weak. I've made up my mind" I add, as I follow my nose, making my way behind the ruined bar to a still wet streak of blood on the floor.​

I reach into a pouch in my belt and retrieve a small needle then touch the needle to the blood, collecting a sample.​

"Get PowderKep up." I tell Arclight as I exmaine the sample "Its time we put the Devil out to pasture."​

​

The next day -

I step out of the shower back at the Monti Estate and wrap myself in a robe. Heck of a night last night, all three of my lieutenants are gonna be on the mend for awhile, but I haven't slept, wired as I am. How could I when The Gargoyle could get back to me at any time. I did tell him not to keep me waiting, to contact me as soon as he had results.

I drop into an easy chair and pick up a manilla folder left there for me by my new secretary. I'm aware of the frown forming on my lips as I read the information inside. I expected business to take a hit. I mean between the war with Fisk, dealing with Castle and the Heroes for Hire, Hyde's arrest, Boar's death, the feud with the Devil, and now Carnage; how in the world could business be anything but down?

Still, its worse than I expected, and I toss the folder across the room in frustration before slumping back into the chair and rubbing my chin to work off the frustration.

If I was going to keep control, to keep potential competitors from perceiving weakness, I needed a win and a big one. I needed to get the Kitchen back in the fold.

Fortunately for me Fisk and the Devil had unknowingly given me what I needed to do just that. I never did tell the Cops about all the documents I managed to lift from Fisk's operations. Never did tell them about the Daredevil files. Fisk may have been too noble, maybe he just didn't believe it, but the files commisioned by Fisk listed a number of potential identities for his arch enemy, with the primary suspect being one blind lawyer by the name of Matt Murdock. Its no wonder Fisk never did anything more than file the information for safe keeping. I mean, who could blame him for not believing that Daredevil was a blind man?

Me? After all I've seen in my life I'll believe anything is possible, and a blind man wearing spandex and fighting crime is nothing once you've seen Mr. Sinister up close and personal.

That was why I took the blood from the bar, why I'm now having the Gargoyle compare it to all available data on Murdock located in the Dare Devil file. With any luck I'll get the answer I want and put Dare Devil off the street for good without so much as raising a finger in anger.

The phone rings then, as if on cue, and I grab the cordless receiver and hold it to my ear.

"Yeah?" I say gruffly before the Grey Gargoyle's voice answers through the receiver.

I smile widely as he briefs me, nodding every now and then, before hanging up.

"Looks like your secret's out DareDevil. Better home justice has a soft spot for the blind."

​

 

[Byrd Man]

Back at the office, Foggy and I go over paperwork and other matters.

"Okay, first matter of business is finding a new investigator."

"How long will Jessica be on maternity leave?"

"A few months, but the way Luke was talking at the hospital, she might start working as a newspaper columnist for the Daily Bugle."

"Hmm. Didn't think it was J. Jonah Jameson's style to like superheroes, let alone hire a former one."

"Well, anyway, I can talk to some people and see if we can find a permanent investigator."

"That works for me. Something else I wanted to bring up-"

The phone on my desk chirps. I pick it up.
"Matt, you have a phone call."

"Okay, Becky, put them through....hello?"

"Matt."

"Hey, Ben, what's going on?"

"You're going to no comment them, right?"

"What are you talking about?"

"...turn on your tv."

"Foggy, turn on the news."

The television pops on with a slight crackle. The words coming out of the speakers turns my stomach cold.

"-ports have surfaced that the mysterious Daredevil of Hell's Kitchen is in fact blind attorney Matt Murdock."

"Change the channel, Foggy."

CLICK!

"Murdock is the son of legendary boxer 'Battlin'' Jack Murdock-"

CLICK!

"-devil has been operating out of the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood for years. And, now it-"

CLICK!

"NBC news has not reached Murdock on these claims, but the NYPD and FBI have both stated that if Murdock is indeed proven to be Daredevil, they will move forward with bringing criminal charges against the masked vigilante."

"Turn it off."

I slump in my chair as the tv snaps off.

"Matt? You still there? Matt?"

"No comment, Ben."

I slam the phone down in the cradle.​

 

[Optikal]

​

Racing through the air, I grab a tree hurled by Typhon and place it on the ground.

"Divert ten percent power from shields and rerouted it to weapons," I command the suit from inside.

Acknowledged. Weapon systems now at 95% with shields at 23%.

"Yikes. Okie dokie. Le'ts do it to it."

I blast off from the ground and race towards Typhon.




Ares and Typhon duke it out. The monster knocks the God of War away and prepares to strike. His attack comes close to Ares when I come in and crash into the beast at Mach 1. Typhon is knocked off his feet and crashes into a nearby pond in the park.

"That's right!"

I land next to Ares and wait for Typon's next move.

"How'd you like that, Ares? I call it the Iron Man Falcon Punch."

-ARES-

Ares clamped a hand on the Avengers shoulder. "Aye, a mighty effort, Stark... If you were a Grecian washer-woman I'd have been impressed!" Ares grinned as Typhon recovered and launched into a run. The Olympian stepped forth and tightened his grip on the hilt of his axe. "Now mortal, watch how the Gods do it!"

Ares paced into a run and met Typhon head-on. The axe blade twirled in the sunlight but slashed only air as Typhon leapt back and blasted a ball of fire into Ares chest. Ares fell back and rolled back to a vertical base with ease. The Titan swung upon him, but Ares ducked, rolled and landed a mighty uppercut that sent Typhon spinning into the air, crashing into a stand on nearby trees.

Ares cracked his knuckles and glanced across the battlefield at Stark, "Now THAT was impressive Stark! Come now tin-man, let's show this whelp back to the hole he crawled out from!" Ares adjusted his helm as he readied himself for Typhons rebuttal.
​

 

[Optikal]

.WOLVERINE.

​

The battered leather cowboy hat slung low over his eyes as the feral mutant stepped into the warmth of the smoky bar. Bootheels clacked on weathered wooden floor as he marched through the establishment to a table in a darkened corner. A group of men, drunken and angry over something were making a scene. Beyond them, at the other end of the table, a dark eyed man was rapidly trying to talk his way out of a deteriorating situation.

"look, you lost that round fair an' square! No refunds!"

"You fiddled the cards ya little punk! Gimme my money or I'm going ta rip your damn head off!"

"Now now, ain't no need for violence mon ami!"

A burly man, heavy set under a plaid shirt leapt at the trenchcoat wearing man.

Wolverine shook his head and rested against the bar as a scuffle broke out.

Men piled in, all of them trying to get their licks in on the card player. Suddenly, with a violet explosion, the men were thrown back, crashing into tables and stools as black smoke filled the air.

The card player rose to his feet, his dark eyes sparkling as he stepped over the fallen disoriented bodies of his would-be attackers.

With his back turned though, the plaid shirt rose and withdrew a knife, aiming it squarely at the back of the card players neck. Logan sighed and leapt forward.

SNIKT!

Claws blocked the stabbing thrust as Logan dragged the man in close and landed a solid headbutt on the bridge of the mans nose. Blood spurted with a sickening crack and the man dropped to the ground.

"Logan?!" The card player asked. "What the hell you doin' here?"

"Saving your ass, Gambit"

"Meh. I had everything undah control. Was jus' leading him into a false sense of security!"

All around them, the men were recovering from the blast. Logan turned and sheathed his claws. "Let's go Cajun. I need to know what you know about missing mutants".

 

[Byrd Man]

-ARES-

Ares clamped a hand on the Avengers shoulder. "Aye, a mighty effort, Stark... If you were a Grecian washer-woman I'd have been impressed!" Ares grinned as Typhon recovered and launched into a run. The Olympian stepped forth and tightened his grip on the hilt of his axe. "Now mortal, watch how the Gods do it!"

Ares paced into a run and met Typhon head-on. The axe blade twirled in the sunlight but slashed only air as Typhon leapt back and blasted a ball of fire into Ares chest. Ares fell back and rolled back to a vertical base with ease. The Titan swung upon him, but Ares ducked, rolled and landed a mighty uppercut that sent Typhon spinning into the air, crashing into a stand on nearby trees.

Ares cracked his knuckles and glanced across the battlefield at Stark, "Now THAT was impressive Stark! Come now tin-man, let's show this whelp back to the hole he crawled out from!" Ares adjusted his helm as he readied himself for Typhons rebuttal.
​

Thypon slowly picks himself up. Underneath the helmet I roll my eyes.

"This guy is like a cockroach," I call over to Ares. "Where's Kratos when you need him, huh?"

Thypon pounces towards me, I blast off into the air.

"Run away, mortal!"

"Connect with Stark Industries satellite 542.218," I command from inside the suit.

Acknowledged....processing....connection complete.

"Satellite sync up with my twenty."

Acknowledged....processing....satellite is in position.

"Prepare to fire on my twenty on my mark."

Standing by....

I dive back down towards Thypon. The monster swings wildly at me as I fly in circles around him.

"Mark!"

I break away from Thypon just as the laser bolt from the satellite strikes the monster.

BOOM!

The blast rattles Thypon, knocking him off his feet and driving the monster into the ground.

"How'd you like that, Ares? Not exactly Zeus' thunderbolt, but I try."

 

[Optikal]

Thypon slowly picks himself up. Underneath the helmet I roll my eyes.

"This guy is like a cockroach," I call over to Ares. "Where's Kratos when you need him, huh?"

Thypon pounces towards me, I blast off into the air.

"Run away, mortal!"

"Connect with Stark Industries satellite 542.218," I command from inside the suit.

Acknowledged....processing....connection complete.

"Satellite sync up with my twenty."

Acknowledged....processing....satellite is in position.

"Prepare to fire on my twenty on my mark."

Standing by....

I dive back down towards Thypon. The monster swings wildly at me as I fly in circles around him.

"Mark!"

I break away from Thypon just as the laser bolt from the satellite strikes the monster.

BOOM!

The blast rattles Thypon, knocking him off his feet and driving the monster into the ground.

"How'd you like that, Ares? Not exactly Zeus' thunderbolt, but I try."

-ARES-
​

Ares nodded, genuinely impressed. "You are good Stark, you're inventions have made my calling all the more interesting. Indeed, I should name you my mortal champion!"

Typhon staggered to his feet, but as he recovered, Ares swung his blade deep into the midsection. The Titan doubled over in agony and roared his pain.

"Stark! Hit my blade with your repulsors! We will end this now!"

As Ares held his axe high, a new dark figure emerged in the shadows, watching the battle, but not becoming involved.

 

[J'adore]

TEEN WEEKS EARLIER...

<"Karl, make sure my flights are all booked for Symkaria.">

<"Of course, Ma'am.">

Then, there was a knock at the door. The door of Silver's wide, modernized office. The head office, the office that was on the highest floor. Then, without an answer from Karl Klaus or Silver Sablinova, Amy Chen, walked into the room.

Amy's outfit was a certain contrast to Silver and Karl's. Karl had a slick black pin-striped suit and shining shoes, whilst Silver had a silver top and a long, tight fitting, pencil skirt. Her hair tied into a tight bun. Amy, however, had on her full guard outfit, a former 'Wild Pack' costume.

"Ms Romanoff is here to see you."

<"Hey! That's my job!">

<"Well, Mr Klaus, it doesn't matter who introduces me. You'll both be leaving this room now, anyway."> Speaking fluent German, Natasha Romanoff entered the officer, her too, wearing a matching outfit to Silver.

Amy and Karl slowly left the room, the door shutting behind them. Silver cracked a smile and awkwardly sat down, her smile soon faded as she heard the footsteps of Amy and Karl fade away.

Natasha continued to stand, her right eyebrow raised. "Please, Silver, I can almost taste the lemon in your mouth."

Silver shot daggers at Natasha, but this didn't affect Natasha in the slightest. "Who are you working for, Russian?"

<"And why should that concern you, Silver?"> Natasha smirked as she spoke strong Russian, to wind Silver up deeply.

"It doesn't. So that's why I need to know."

"Viper's after you. Be ready and assemble a team. The new 'Wild Pack' should fit in just right. But, if you do make the group, which you probably will, I will technically own all the 'rights' to the groups. Meaning, you don't do anything unless I say. You, my dear friend Silver, are the field manager. I'm only doing this for your protection."

"Hah, you never fail to amuse me, Romanoff. Why would I ever want to hand over the Wild Pack to you?"

"Because Silver, when you're not around, they'll need a proper leader."

Turning away from Silver, Natasha began to walk out the office, opening the door.

<"F**K YOU!"> Silver cursed in Russian.

<"Love you too, ****e. Oh and one more thing...Skein's back.">
​

 

[Byrd Man]

-ARES-
​

Ares nodded, genuinely impressed. "You are good Stark, you're inventions have made my calling all the more interesting. Indeed, I should name you my mortal champion!"

Typhon staggered to his feet, but as he recovered, Ares swung his blade deep into the midsection. The Titan doubled over in agony and roared his pain.

"Stark! Hit my blade with your repulsors! We will end this now!"

As Ares held his axe high, a new dark figure emerged in the shadows, watching the battle, but not becoming involved.

My hands kick from the laser blasts firing from my palms.

"Order up!"

The two bolts strike Ares' battle axe and charge the weapon with energy.

 

[Optikal]

My hands kick from the laser blasts firing from my palms.

"Order up!"

The two bolts strike Ares' battle axe and charge the weapon with energy.

Ares staggered back a little as his axe soaked up the blast, glowing fiery hot as it did. Typhon, on his knees flung his arms forward, forming wicked serpents wrapped around the throat of the War God. His throat constricted, Ares gasped for air as Typhon growled with determination. With a mighty roar he struck the Titan square in the chest, his charged axe burying deep.

Typhons eyes widened, the serpents falling slack and the Titan crumbling into a spreading pool of his own blood.

The creature in the shadows descended upon the scene and marched towards the God of War.

"Thanatos!" Ares snarled. "What are you doing here?"

"You know well, Ares. The God of Death has come to claim his prize".

Ares scowled as Thanatos moved to the fallen Titan and rested a palm upon the monster before disappearing in a cloud of darkness.

Ares sheathed his blade and marched towards Iron Man, removing his helm. "Thank you for your assistance, Avenger. Typhon is defeated, though his quest for the Norse stone of power is troubling. You and your friends make interesting war Stark, It is my hope that we'll stand together upon the battlefield again someday".

 

[Byrd Man]

Ares scowled as Thanatos moved to the fallen Titan and rested a palm upon the monster before disappearing in a cloud of darkness.

Ares sheathed his blade and marched towards Iron Man, removing his helm. "Thank you for your assistance, Avenger. Typhon is defeated, though his quest for the Norse stone of power is troubling. You and your friends make interesting war Stark, It is my hope that we'll stand together upon the battlefield again someday".

"Well, the Avengers' quota for gods has been already, but hey, you never know. Another ancient mythological monster could threaten New York again, and given the world we live in the chances of that are very likely."

I hold out my hand for Ares.

"You may be nuttier than squirrel turds, but I'd party with you."

 

[Optikal]

"Well, the Avengers' quota for gods has been already, but hey, you never know. Another ancient mythological monster could threaten New York again, and given the world we live in the chances of that are very likely."

I hold out my hand for Ares.

"You may be nuttier than squirrel turds, but I'd party with you."

"Hah! I like you, Stark. We shall meet again someday".

Ares took the forearm of Stark in the warriors grip, wrist to wrist. "Keep honouring me with your war-making".

With that, the God of War set off at a steady march, realising that it would be a good time to check in on his son.

****
​

In the bowels of Hel, Thanatos dropped Typhon before a dark figure. Typhon cowered before the being, clutching the wound in his chest.

"You failed me, Titan" the figure snarled. "I should let you perish for your mistakes".

Typhon gazed up but said nothing.

"Be grateful that I have use for you yet" the figure said as he stepped past the injured Titan.

 

[TrueMastermind]

Awakening to a warehouse lit only by the sunlight leaking in from its large glass windows, Nathanial's memory was spotty. He could a remember a robot with bright colors, a bulky thug who desperately needed a tan, and the name Iron Lad. Wait, it was all coming back to him now...

Vision. That was the name of the robot. He had a plan. A plan to get some sort of team together for the instance the Avengers crumbled. Then Kang. The power-hungry future version of himself showed him sick, terrifying images of what young Nathan was to become and he wanted no part of it. And finally the suit Kang gave him. It allowed him to travel to this time. Looking down at his armored hands, the teen now dubbed "Iron Lad" wonder the true power the armor gave him. If Kang didn't speak utter nonsense, the suit could let him do great things. He could whatever he want, get whatever he want, however he wanted. No, he must stick to Vision's plan. According to the former Avenger, the plan was crucial to the future.

Observing his surroundings, Iron Lad pondered how in the world he could've arrived in this mainly empty warehouse. Nobody lurked within its walls, no notes left, nothing. There was no use wasting time on that matter though and Iron Lad had to continue on with his ally's plan. Trying to tap into the program Vision gave him to locate the planned recruits, Richards finally got a result when a vivid map popped up within the armor, displaying 3 tiny dots depicting these recruits' locations. Choosing the one closest, Iron Lad burst through the roof and headed towards his target.

 

[Keyser Soze]

"I-" The thunderer paused suddenly, as if his mouth had been forced shut by some invisible hand.

Confusion played briefly across his face only to quickly be replaced by a cold angry glare directed at Loki.

The witch had betrayed him once more!

His muscles too betrayed him, twitching briefly as he fought to take control of them, before moving of their own accord. But it was not just his limbs that betrayed him, but his very mind as well. He found it difficult to focus. He reminded himself that he must not turn the stone over to Loki, fought hard not to, but he found he could no longer remember why not.

Feeling compelled to obey his sister's command, the Odinson mutely handed the stone over then stood stone still, awaiting further instructions.

"Thank you, dearest brother. You might be wondering why you are feeling... out of sorts. Allow me to explain."

Now Loki had 8 out of the 9 norn stones in her possession. The only thing left to do before seeking out the final stone and bringing her plan to completion was to deal with Thor.

"Given my current sorry state of affairs... trapped in this mortal frame... I have honed an acute awareness of the inner workings of my body. So much so that I can sense when something is there that does not belong. Something such as highly advanced human nanotechnology that saps the will of the host like a parasite, making them pliable to commands from mischievous little devils such as myself."

Loki walked a circle around Thor, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You, however, were blissfully unaware. Too busy worrying about where the next fight was, what you could throw your big hammer at next, I suppose. Oh well. And even now, I can tell you that all is well, there is no need to be alarmed, and you will listen to me. Because you can trust me, can't you? I cannot stay, I have... important business to attend to. But I will leave you under the care of my good friend. You have already met him."

A portal opened up in the room beside them, and a figure stepped out.

"I met up with him privately to discuss this nanotechnology he put inside both of us. I convinced him I could make it worth his while to activate it in you and not me, and I believe I have delivered on my end. I get the chance to see my vision through to its fruition, uninterrupted, while my friend gets an incredibly powerful weapon to use against The Avengers. I presume you're happy.... Mandarin?"

 

[Andy C.]

"Excellent work, boys," The Iron Patriot said to the squad of SHIELD soldiers as they boarded the small chopper extracting them to the main HeliCarrier. "I'll see you back home."

That was a lie, but the Patriot decided that they didn't need to know it.

The Latverian occupation had been a dangerous and messy operation from the start, but between SHIELD's tactical expertise and the Iron Patriot's firepower, the nation had been stabilized far sooner than anyone could have hoped for. The Doom loyalists had withered under repeated repulsor-fire, their safehouses wrecked, their contacts and supply lines disrupted so thoroughly that they could do little more than sit and wait their turn for the man in the red-white-and-blue armor to hunt them down. While news pundits argued about the harshness of his methods, there was no questioning the results.

Today, after over a hundred sorties in Latveria and time stationed in virtually every SHIELD installation at home and abroad, the Patriot's true methods would be revealed. Today, he would make the grandest move of them all.

As he climbed up into the sky towards the HeliCarrier, the massive air-ship suddenly erupted into dark orange blossoms of fire and smoke, the concussive shockwaves from the explosions reaching the Patriot a second later. A series of bombs placed in critical junctures across the ship had effectively crippled one of the most powerful warships ever built.

The armored hero scanned one radio frequency after another, and heard the same news repeated again and again.

"Decks 4 through 8 are sealed off, losing pressure throughout entire starboard--"

"--same thing is happening throughout the fleet! For God's sake, what--"

"Director Hill, this is an emergency distress broadcast from--dammit, where the hell is Director Hill?!"

"Nothing from higher up, SHIELD HQ in New York is not responding. Who the hell is in charge now?!"

"All points, this is the Iron Patriot! I am on my way to assist with emergency evacuations, and to recover priority personnel. Until Director Hill can be located, I am assuming command."
With that, he fired up the repulsor jets in his boots and sped towards the crashing ship. Inside his helmet, the Iron Patriot was smiling.

 

[MichaelChen]

The Mandarin chuckled, deactivating the muti-layered illusion created by his psionic and blacklight rings that masked his presence.

"Indeed, this should be useful trophy. I generally dislike robbing my prey so utterly of free-will, but sometimes ideals must bow before practical neccessity. The Avengers gather themselves into cowardly groups while I fight boldly, with nothing but the strength of my mind, fists, and will. This but levels the playing field."

The Mandarin walked over to Thor, "Thor, don't you think Iron Man is a terrible coward for fighting in armor while I fight all but naked? Yes, he is a terrible, terrible coward and he deserves to be punished, doesn't he? You know what I think you should do? You should RIP that armor off of him, and bring him to me. Bring him to the very center of the forest in the heart of old Mongolia. I will be waiting there, far from technology, from civilization, far from the rot Stark feds on. Bring Stark's frail nakedness to me."

And with that, the Mandarin pressed a button on his cell-phone, teleporting away.

A short while later the Mandarin arrived himself at the center of the forest at the center of what had once been the Mongolian empire. He trusted Thor to find it, as that empire had been at it's height when Thor was young, and he would likely know its borders better than those defined by modern China.

First he removed his rings and placed them on the ground. He wouldn't be needing them for this. Then he removed all of his clothing except for his simple black pants.

The Mandarin began a series of martial art stretches and warm-ups, gradually working his way to punching and kicking at the air. Finally he karate-chopped a five-foot-thick tree, shattering its base and sending it tumbling over.

"Sooooon, Stark, sooon," rumbled the Mandarin.

 

[TrueMastermind]

Arriving at a little brick house rather close to the warehouse, Iron Lad gathered many onlookers as he made his first few steps toward the house.

"Look it's Iron Man!"

"No it's not, can't ya see the difference!"

"What is he doing?"

"Hey! It could be a she!"

"Whatever!"

Filled with childlike amazement, the joyful voices forced the face under the armor to crack a smile. Of course, caught up in the moment, he didn't bother to worry about the consequences in making such an appearence in broad daylight. Luckily, at this particular moment, no problems would be encountered by this act of foolishness.

After pausing to wonder if he should knock or burst through the door like the "hero" he was, Nathanial decided to go with option one. No answer. Option two would be more fun anyway.

BOOM!

His audience emmiting a load of gasps at his unexpected move, the ironclad figure calmly steps over the fallen door. Scanning the room, Richards truly realized how primitive of a time he was in. It was if the house was yanked straight out of his history book, judging by it's carpet floors, old-school furniture, and it's amazingly retro kitchen appliances. But he had expected this since coming to this time and shrugged it off with ease.

"Anybody home?" Walking around the home to check if there was actually any residents, Iron Lad checked his map of these supposed recruits and still saw the little blue dot right in his area. Maybe he was outside...

CLUNK!

Hearing something smack against his armor, Nathan whipped himself around to find the noise's source.

"Uhhh....." There stood a well-built black young man vibrating violently while clutching a shield clearly made out to be a weapon. Looking at the armored intruder with his big, brown eyes, the teen took a couple steps back.

"Umm...hello there, I'm Natha---Iron Lad," Smiling under his iron hide, the time-traveler extended a friendly handshake towards his new acquaintance.

"What? Oh, my name is Elijah Bradley, but some call me Patriot."